Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
Neutron Stars, Black Holes and Gravitational Waves
Code: 44084Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| High Energy Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology | OP | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Francesco Coti Zelati
- Email :
- francesco.coti@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Daniele Vigano
- Miquel Nofrarias Serra
- Laura Tolos Rigueiro
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
Basics of Astronomy and Physics is required. It is advised (but not strictly needed) to have followed the course of Observational Techniques. The course of High-Energy Astrophysics is complementary to this course in some specific topics.
Objectives
Neutron Stars and Black Holes are the extreme leftovers of the explosion of very massive stars. They challenge fundamental aspects of nuclear physics, plasma physics, general relativity, and represent the sources of all detected Gravitational Waves so far, when they are in a binary system and collide. The course is intended to:
- provide a basic and broad view of the observations and theoretical understanding of Neutron Stars and Black Holes, focusing on their known Galactic population
- give a self-contained introduction to physics of Gravitational Waves, explaining the current state of detections of compact object mergers, and the beginning of the multi-messenger astronomy era
- provide an interconnected view of open questions about compact objects, related to the fundamental physics uncertainties and to the observational biases that shape the phenomenology of the detected population
Learning outcomes
- CA15 (To adapt knowledge about the physical processes of compact objects to new situations in neutron star physics or gravitational wave physics.) To adapt knowledge about the physical processes of compact objects to new situations in neutron star physics or gravitational wave physics.
- KA23 (Identify the physical processes responsible for the multi-band emission of neutron stars of different kinds and black holes of various masses.) Identify the physical processes responsible for the multi-band emission of neutron stars of different kinds and black holes of various masses.
- SA56 (Demonstrate observational evidence for neutron stars and black holes.) Demonstrate observational evidence for neutron stars and black holes.
- SA57 (Apply the principles of physics to explain the workings of neutron stars and black holes.) Apply the principles of physics to explain the workings of neutron stars and black holes.
- SA58 (Apply the basic concepts of emission modeling and detection of gravitational waves in specific situations of high-energy physics, astrophysics and cosmology.) Apply the basic concepts of emission modeling and detection of gravitational waves in specific situations of high-energy physics, astrophysics and cosmology.
- SA59 (Classify the types of sources that emit radiation into the various gravitational wave bands.) Classify the types of sources that emit radiation into the various gravitational wave bands.
- SA60 (Estimate the type of gravitational waves expected for different gravitational wave sources.) Estimate the type of gravitational waves expected for different gravitational wave sources.
- SA61 (Use bibliographic tools, online and in English, to delve into key concepts about neutron stars, black holes, and gravitational waves.) Use bibliographic tools, online and in English, to delve into key concepts about neutron stars, black holes, and gravitational waves.
Contents
Introduction and general description of the observation of compact objects
Fundamental physics in neutron stars: equation of state and transport properties
Physics of neutron stars: emission observed at different wavelengths and associated physical mechanisms
Magnetic, thermal and rotational evolution of isolated neutron stars
Black holes: solutions in general relativity and basic theory
Gravitational waves: basic theory and astrophysical sources
Detection of gravitational waves and their modeling
Les fusions d'estels binàries de neutrons i la nova era de l'astronomia multimissatgers
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study of the theoretical and observational concepts | 92 | 3.68 | CA15, KA23, SA56, SA57, SA58, SA59, SA60, SA61 |
| Lectures | 45 | 1.8 | CA15, KA23, SA56, SA57, SA58, SA59, SA60, SA61 |
Theory lectures, with small exercises in class. Assignment of homework, based on the content seen in class.
For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as literature searches or information gathering. Students must clearly identify which parts of their work have been generated using these technologies, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how they influenced both the process and the final outcome of the assignment.
Failure to transparently disclose the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total reduction of the assignment grade, or more severe disciplinary measures in serious cases
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homework | 20% | 10 | 0.4 | CA15, SA56, SA60 |
| Written exam (two chances) | 40% | 2 | 0.08 | CA15, KA23, SA56, SA57, SA58, SA59, SA60, SA61 |
| Oral presentation | 40% | 1 | 0.04 | CA15, KA23, SA56, SA57, SA58, SA59, SA60, SA61 |
The final grade will be based on three components:
- 40% - A final written exam consisting of several questions covering the main topics of the course. Students who do not achieve the minimum passing grade will have the opportunity to take a resit exam.
- 40% - An oral presentation of a scientific article assigned to each student.
- 20% - Homework.
Bibliography
S. L. Shapiro & S. A. Teukolsky “Black Holes, White Dwarfs, and Neutron Stars: The Physics of Compact Objects”, Wiley Ed., 1983
P. Haensel, A.Y. Potekhin & D.G. Yakovlev “Neutron Stars 1 - Equation of State and Structure”, Astrophysics and Space Sciences Library, Springer, 2006
“The Physics and Astrophysics of Neutron Stars”, Astrophysics and Space Sciences Library, Springer, (Editors: L. Rezzolla, P. Pizzocchero, D. I. Jones, N. Rea, I. Vidaña), 2018
“Astrophysical Black Holes”, Astrophysics and Space Sciences Library, Springer (Editors: Haardt, Gorini, Moschella, Treves, Colpi), 2016
S. Weinberg, \"Gravitation and Cosmology: Principles and Applications of the General Theory of Relativity\", Wiley Ed., 1972
W. Misner, K. S. Thorne, J. A. Wheeler, \"Gravitation\", W. H. Freeman and Company, 1973
M. Shibata, \"100 Years of General Relativity: Volume 1 - Numerical Relativity\", World Scientific, 2015
“Gravitational Wave Astrophysics”, Astrophysics and Space Sciences Library, Springer (Editor: Sopuerta), 2016
Software
None
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | English | second semester | morning-mixed |