Annexure ‘AAB-CD-01b’

L T P/ SW/F TOTAL
Course Title: Fundamentals of Astronomy S W CREDIT
Course Code: <to be decided later> UNITS
Credit Units: 4
3 1 - - 4
Level: UG

# Course Title Comments (if any)

1 Course Objectives: To introduce the students the basic astronomy and

astrophysics so that they get familiarity of the subject and would be able
to decide whether they wish to pursue a research career in astronomy and
astrophysics.

2 Prerequisites: Physics and mathematics of Plus 2 and some part of B.Sc

Physics.

3 Student Learning Outcomes: After the completion of this course,

students should be able to learn and appreciate that all the laboratory
physics are at play in the sky and would be able to explain some of the
astronomical phenomena with the help of basic physics.

4 Module I
Celestial sphere and astronomical coordinate system, Kepler’s law
revisited, virial theorem, stellar parallax, magnitude Scale. Introduction to
statistical error analysis, Chi^2 statistics and fitting a curve with data by
hand calculation.
5 Module II
Refracting telescope, Charged Coupled Device (CCD); Basics of radio
telescope: radio antenna, basics of radio interferometry; Telescope mounts.

6 Module III
Galactic astronomy: introduction to Stars, planets, white dwarfs, neutron stars,
brown dwarf, supernovae explosion, accretion of matter into a compact objects
from a companion stars in
a stellar binary.

7 Module IV

Various astronomical systems: stars and classification of stellar spectra,

galaxies, clusters of stars, clusters of galaxies; All sky survey; Radiative
processes in various astronomical system: nonthermal synchrtotron
emission from radio plasma, thermal bremsstrahlung from hot (10^7 −
10^8 K) gas from groups and clusters of galaxies, Radiation in the other
part of spectrum (e.g. infrared, microwave, γ-ray etc) from astronomical
sources and the mechanism of those radiation

10 Pedagogy for Course Delivery: The class will be taught using theory and
conceptual method. The slides will be displayed to show the real
astronomical images to explain the physics in them.

11
Assessment/ Examination Scheme:

Theory L/T (%) Lab/Practical/Studio (%) End Term

Examination

100% 0 100 marks

Theory Assessment (L&T):

 Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment End Term
Examination
Components
(Drop down)
CT Home Viva Attendance
Assignment

Weightage
(%): 100
10 7 8 5 70

Text & References:

1. An Introduction to Astrophysics, B.W. Carroll & D.A. Ostlie
2. High Energy Astrophysics, Malcom Lonhair
3. Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, George W. Rybicki & Alan P. Lightman
4. Data reduction and error analysis for the physical sciences, P.R. Bevington and D.K. Robinson.

Remarks and Suggestions:

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Date: Name, Designation, Organisation