Univ. Belgrade
Prof. B. Arbutina
Supernovae and their Remnants
(S2, elective, 6 ECTS)
Learning Outcomes:Supernovae and their Remnants is conceived as an intermediate-level course that will primarily provide introduction to this field. After the course, students should be able to easily understand PhD-level courses of the subject and be capable to start an independent research in supernovae and supernova remnants.
Knowledge and Understanding:
The aim of the course is learning basic and some advanced topics in the field of supernovae and supernova remnants. Students will possess knowledge about phenomenon of supernova, history of observations and their classification, and about our current understanding of the physics of stellar explosion. An emphasis will be made on special role of type Ia supernovae in cosmological research. Further, the student will learn about the properties of supernova remnants, interaction of ejected stellar material with interstellar medium and physical processes happening in these objects (shock creation, particle acceleration, magnetic field amplification, synchrotron emission).
Applying Knowledge and Understanding:The course consists of a theoretical training base, in order to acquire all the mathematical and physical knowledge necessary for understanding supernovae and supernova remnants and processes happening in them. Students will have an opportunity to work with specific astronomical software and solve different problems. The second half of the course, dealing with supernova remnants, is more research oriented and students should be able to apply their knowledge in solving some particular problems such as numerical modeling of non-linear diffusive shock acceleration and obtaining theoretical cosmic-rays spectra at the source.
PrerequisitesNone
ProgramClassification of supernovae and their rates. Physics of supernova explosions. Classification of supernova remnants (SNRs). Shock waves. Diffusive shock acceleration theory. Cosmic rays, magnetic fields and synchrotron radiation from SNRs. Hydrodynamic evolution of SNRs. Radio evolution of SNRs.
Description of how the course is conductedThe course will consist of lectures and problem solving sessions.
Description of the didactic methodsFrontal teaching, interactive classes, individual and group work..
Description of the evaluation methodsDuring the course, students will be given homework. After the end of lectures they will have a written exam (a multiple choice tests) and an oral exam. All this (homework and exams) will enter the final grade. This will allow to assess students knowledge and understanding during and after the course.
Adopted TextbooksBojan Arbutina “Evolution of Supernovae Remnants” Publ. Astron. Obs. Belgrade, 97,1 (2017)
Recommended readingsMalcolm S. Longair “High Energy Astrophysics, vol.2” Cambridge University Press (2002) Frank Shu “Physics of Astrophysics, vol.2” University Science Books (1992) Chevalier, R.A., 1977, Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys., 15, 175 Weiler K.W. & Sramek, R.A., 1988, Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys., 26, 295