Syllabus
Unit I
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, student will be able to
LO1– Learn the basic methods used to estimate and measure the mass, length and time of astronomical objects.
LO2– Understand the astronomical nomenclature and source of astronomical information.
LO3– Learn the Newton’s gravitational law and apply to obtain Kepler’s laws of planetary motion.
Astronomy, an Observational Science: Introduction – Indian and Western Astronomy– Aryabhatta – Tycho Brahe’s observations of the heavens – The laws of planetary motion – Measuring the astronomical unit – Isaac Newton and his Universal Law of Gravity – Derivation of Kepler’s third law, The wave nature of light, Stellar Parallax, The Color index.
Unit II
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, student will be able to
LO1– Understand the properties and formation of solar system.
LO2– Apply theoretical methods for the quantitative calculations related to nuclear reactions in solar interior, solar evolution and solar winds.
LO3– Learn and understand the solar atmosphere.
The Sun – The formation of the solar system – Overall properties of the Sun – The Sun’s total energy output – Blackbody radiation and the sun’s surface temperature – The Fraunhofer lines in the solar spectrum and the composition of the sun – Nuclear fusion – The proton–proton cycle – The solar neutrino problem – The solar atmosphere: photosphere, chromosphere and corona – Coronium – The solar wind – The sunspot cycle.
Unit III
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, student will be able to
LO1– Understand the basic concepts and properties of planets.
LO2– Learn the basic features of main sequence stars on the basis of theoretical models.
LO3– Learn the tools to understand the stellar observational data and HR diagram of stars.
The Planets – Planetary orbits – Orbital inclination – Secondary atmospheres- The evolution of the earth’s atmosphere. The Properties of Stars: Stellar luminosity – Stellar distances – The hydrogen spectrum – Spectral types – Spectroscopic parallax – The Hertzsprung–Russell Diagram – The main sequence – The giant region – The white dwarf region – The stellar mass – luminosity relationship – Stellar lifetimes – Stellar Evolution.
Unit IV
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, student will be able to,
LO1- Understand the basic equations of stellar structure, stellar model and stellar quantities.
LO2- Learn tools to understand the stellar observational data and HR diagram of star clusters.
LO3- Learn about nuclear reactions, stellar evolution and interstellar medium.
Basic equations of stellar structure, Constructing stellar models, Stellar quantities, Stellar observational data, HR Diagram star clusters, Main nuclear reactions in stellar interior, Formation of protostar, Pre-main sequence star – Hayashi line, Interstellar Medium (ISM)- HI region, HII region, Intercloud Medium, Giant Molecular cloud, Interstellar dust – Interstellar extinction, Interstellar redding.
Unit V
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, student will be able to,
LO1– Learn the basic concepts and mechanism related to the supernova.
LO2– Learn about the white dwarf and obtain the Chadrasekhar mass limit.
LO3- Learn the basic features of neutron stars and black holes.
Supernovae- type I and type II, Degeneracy pressure of a Fermi gas, White Dwarf and Chandrasekhar mass limit, Neutron stars, Pulsars, Black holes, Event Horizon and Schwarzchild radius.
Objectives and Outcomes
Pre-requites
Knowledge of Newtonian mechanics and electrodynamics.
Course Objectives
The objective of the course is to impart knowledge about basic astronomy for understanding the various phenomena related to stars and planets.
Course Outcomes: After completion this course student able to
CO1: Recognize scientific and quantitative methods and the differences between these approaches and other methods of inquiry used in astronomy.
CO2: Identify and recognize the differences among competing modern astronomical scientific theories.
CO3: Develop critical/logical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving skills in the area of astronomy.
Skills: By solving problems in the form of assignments and quizzes related to planetary and stellar physics improves the analytical skills of students.
CO-PO Mapping
|
PO1 |
PO2 |
PO3 |
PO4 |
PO5 |
PO6 |
PO7 |
PO8 |
PO9 |
PO10 |
PO11 |
PO12 |
PSO1 |
PSO2 |
PSO3 |
PSO4 |
| CO1 |
3 |
3 |
– |
– |
– |
|
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
3 |
– |
– |
| CO2 |
3 |
3 |
– |
|
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
3 |
– |
– |
| CO3 |
3 |
3 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
3 |
3 |
– |
– |
Evaluation Pattern
Evaluation Pattern
|
Assessment
|
Internal
|
External
Semester
|
|
Mid-term
|
30
|
|
|
*Continuous Assessment (CA)
|
20
|
|
|
End Semester
|
|
50
|
*CA – Can be Quizzes, Assignment, Projects, and Reports.
Justification for CO-PO mapping
|
Mapping
|
Justification
|
Affinity level
|
|
CO1-PO1
|
CO1 is related to recognize scientific and quantitative methods in astrophysics and cosmology. This improves student’s knowledge in astrophysics and cosmology. Hence the affinity level is 3.
|
3
|
|
CO1-PO2
|
Since PO2 is related to problem analysis and CO1 is also related to various methods in astrophysics and cosmology. Hence the affinity level between CO1 and PO2 is mentioned as 3.
|
3
|
|
CO2-PO1
|
CO2 is related to identify and recognize the differences among competing modern astrophysical scientific theories. Hence the affinity level is 3.
|
3
|
|
CO2-PO2
|
As CO2 is also related to solve various problems of astrophysics and cosmology. Since PO2 is related to developing analytical skills, the affinity level between them is 3.
|
3
|
|
CO3-PO1
|
Since PO1 is related to acquiring knowledge in physics fundamentals. CO3 has maximum affinity 3 when mapped with PO1.
|
3
|
|
CO3-PO2
|
CO3 is related to problem solving skills in the area of astrophysics and cosmology. As problems will be solved employing these methods and the analytical skills of students will be improved. Since PO2 is related to improving analytical skills, CO3 has maximum affinity to PO2 and hence given an affinity level of 3.
|
3
|
|
CO1-PSO1
|
PSO1 is related demonstrate proficiency in mathematics and the mathematical concepts needed for a proper understanding of physics. Hence the affinity level is 3.
|
3
|
|
CO1-PSO2
|
PSO2 is related to apply basic physics knowledge to analyze a variety of physical phenomena and related subjects. Hence the affinity level is 3.
|
3
|
|
CO2-PSO1
|
CO2 is related to recognize the differences among competing modern astrophysical scientific theories, which map completely with PSO1. So the affinity level is 3.
|
3
|
|
CO2-PSO2
|
Since PSO2 is related to improving knowledge in classical mechanics which is essential to understand astrophysics and cosmology. Hence the affinity level between CO2 and PSO2 is 3 instead of 2 or 1.
|
3
|
|
CO3-PSO1
|
Since CO3 is related to analyze and solve problems related to astrophysics and cosmology. CO3-PSO1 mapping has the affinity level 3.
|
3
|
|
CO3-PSO2
|
The affinity level between CO3 and PSO2 is 3 since CO3 deals with solve problems in astrophysics and cosmology which eventually improves the analytical skills of students.
|
3
|
Text Books / References
Text Book and References:
- Ian Morison, “Introduction to Astronomy and Cosmology”, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2008.
- C. Clarke and A.E. Roy “Astronomy: Principles and Practice”, 4th Edition (Paperback), Institute of Physics Publishing 2003.
- W. Corroll and D. A. Ostlie “An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics”, 2nd Edition, Combridge University Press 2017.
- Eric Chaisson and Steve McMilan “Astronomy, A Beginner’s Guide to Universe”, 8th Edition, Pearson 2017.
