The course introduces students to several contemporary topics in Astrophysics, moving beyond the scope of the introductory Astronomy course. Specifically, the modules covered are:
- Fluid Mechanics – Hydrostatic Equilibrium – Virial Theorem
- Generalized Virial Theorem – Radial Stellar Oscillations – Stability
- White Dwarfs
- Neutron Stars
- Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)
- Pulsars
- Binary Systems – Evolution – Roche Lobe
- Spherical Accretion – Accretion Disks
- General Relativity – Black Holes
- Gravitational Waves
- Gravitational Lensing
- Stellar and Planetary Spectra
Laboratory Sessions
The course also includes six laboratory units:
- Lab 1: Introduction to Python; simple application to homologous spherical dust collapse.
- Lab 2: Numerical integration of stellar structure equations (Lane-Emden, etc.).
- Lab 3: Gravitational lensing.
- Lab 4: Applications in Spherical Accretion (Bondi accretion and others).
- Lab 5: Applications in Accretion Disks (e.g., disk instabilities, planet formation, planet migration, relativistic disks).
- Lab 6: Radiative Transfer (applications in disks, stars, planetary atmospheres, etc.).