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| ASTR0004-2 | Astrophysics and Space Techniques
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| Duration : | 30h Th, 15h Pr, 5d Peda. Tr. |
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| Holder(s) : | Jean Surdej |
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| Language : | French language |
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| Course contents : | In this course of Astronomy and space techniques, we introduce all the necessary concepts that enable us to understand the basic observational data, the structure and the evolution of galactic objects (stars, ...), of extragalactic ones (galaxies, clusters, quasars, ...) as well as modern ground-based and space telescopes as well as their instrumentation. This course has been designed for future engineers willing to understand and communicate with other people basic concepts of astronomy (cf. the Olbers paradox : why the night is dark?) as well as to those wishing to pursue more specialized studies in astrophysics (cf. end-of-year thesis oriented towards astrophysics, master in space sciences, PhD in astrophysics, ...) or a future career in this field.
In the first part of this course, we explain how to measure and interpret the stellar motions, the distances to stars, their luminosity, color, radius, mass, temperature, etc.
The second part of this course is dedicated to a good understanding of modern telescopes and their instrumentation, located on the ground and in space. The principles and operation of infra-red, optical (cf. the ESO VLTI), sub-millimeter (ALMA) and radio (VLTI and VLBA) interferometers, large future telescopes (OWL, ELTs) and liquid mirror telescopes will also be reviewed in detail. A complete description of a space mission will be presented and, visits and training sessions will be organized either at the Haute-Provence Observatory (France), the Kourou Space Center (Guyane française) or the European Space Agency (Noordwijk, Holland), CSL (Liège Space Center) and/or AMOS (Advanced and Mechanical Optical Systems, Liège).
The last part of this course concerns the astrophysical studies of different constituents of the extragalactic Universe, visible since the first seconds after the Big Bang until the present. We shall show how the magic use of physical laws describing interactions between matter and electromagnetic waves allows us to unravel the physics of astronomical objects located at the very edge of the Universe (microwave background, gravitational lens systems, ...).
At the beginning of each lecture, various animations based either upon recent astronomical observations or numerical simulations will be used to introduce some of the basic astronomical concepts. Simple and straightforward experiments illustrating the trigonometric parallax, the measurement of stellar diameters, or the deflection of light in gravitational fields will be used to convey a didactical flavour to these astrophysics lectures. |
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| Course objective : | This course of astrophysics shows how the simple use of the physical laws established on the Earth enables one to understand the origin, the history and the evolution of the Universe and of its major constituents. |
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| Prerequisites : | None |
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| Workshops : | 15 hours of practical exercises and the equivalent of 5 days of training and/or visits of research institutions (either the Haute-Provence Observatory in France, the Kourou Space Center in Guyane française or the European Space Agency in Noordwijk - Holland) and local companies/research centers (CSL, AMOS) will be organized during the academic year. Several research assistants will participate to these practical exercises, training and visits. |
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| Organization : | 30 hours of theory in astrophysics will be taught during the first months of the academic year (Sart Tilman, room 1-19, Bldg. B5b). |
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| Written notes : | Preliminary lecture notes are accessible via the link http://www.aeos.ulg.ac.be/teaching.php
Some reference books are also mentioned in the lecture notes. |
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| Assessment : | An oral exam (2 questions, approximately 1h30m) will be proposed in January. Evaluation of the students will essentially be based upon his(her) understanding as opposed to his(her) memory skills. |
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| Contacts : | J. Surdej (Full Professor and FNRS honorary research director) surdej@astro.ulg.ac.be; Olivier Absil (chargé de recherche FNRS) Absil@astro.ulg.ac.be; Charles Hanot (doctorant FRIA) Hanot@astro.ulg.ac.be; Davide Ricci (doctorant FRIA) Ricci@astro.ulg.ac.be; Secretary (Mrs Sylvia Grandjean) Sylvia.Grandjean@ulg.ac.be; Institute of Astrophysics and Geophysics, ULg, Allée du 6 Août 17, Bât. B5c, B-4000 Sart Tilman (Liège) - Tel.: 04/366 97 83 or 9755, Fax: 04-366 97 46 http://www.aeos.ulg.ac.be |
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| Remarks : | None. |
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| Items online : |
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| Preliminary lecture notes |
| Videos of the lectures are accessible via Orbi. Lecture notes as well as the "power-point" presentations projected during each lecture are accessible in the form of PDF and/or PPS files via the link: |
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