I*M*P*R*S on ASTROPHYSICS at the LMU Munich

Astrophysics Introductory Course

Lecture given by:

Ralf Bender and Roberto Saglia

Fall 2009

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Outline of the IMPRS Astrophysics Introductory Course
Introduction
Matter and radiation
Stars: global properties and spectra
Stars: structure, evolution and final stages
Interstellar medium, star formation and exo-planets
Galaxies: phenomenology and types
Galaxies: chemical evolution, stellar populations, stellar dynamics
Galaxies: spirals, ellipticals, dwarfs
AGNs and Supermassive Black Holes
Large Scale Structure: Groups and clusters of galaxies
Gravitational Lensing
Cosmological standard model
Formation of structure in the universe

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Chapter 0

Introduction

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0.1 Some history...
Historically the oldest of all sciences

Important for practical reasons: e.g. calendar, farming, pre-GPS positioning...

Important for spiritual development of mankind: religion and philosophy

’Serious’ astronomy probably started already more than 4000 years ago: e.g. calendar
in Egypt or astronomical artefacts found in Central Europe (see recently discovered
3600 years old ’Nebra sky disc’ from Bronze Age, next page, with arcs indicating
difference between summer and winter solstice). Some historians claim that even the
cave paintings of Lascaux (17000 years old) represent stellar constellations.

Oldest known star atlas by Chinese Astronomers in the 7th century (1400 stars with
positional precisions between 1.5o and 4o, Bonnet-Bidaud et al. 2009).

Dawn of astrophysics in 16th and 17th century with Brahe, Kopernikus, Kepler and
Galilei.

Brahe’s measurements of planetary motion and their analysis by Kepler (Kepler’s laws),
Galilei’s observations and experiments and, finally, Newton’s fundamental and unifying
insights are at the roots of modern physics (17th century).

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 summer
solstice

winter
solstice

Chinese Star Atlas, 7th century

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astronomy
Kepler’s laws
spectral analysis of stars and hot gas
perihel motion of mercury, light deflection by
sun, binary pulsar
energy production in stars and supernovae
neutron stars & white dwarfs
telescope development
detection of faintest sources
sun, primordial abundances, microw. backgr.
dark matter, early universe
black holes
dark energy or cosmological constant
image processing, adaptive optics
extrasolar planets
astrophysics in general
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physics, technology & life
Newtonian physics, law of gravity
Helium discovery, quantum mechanics of
forbidden lines in low densities
general relativity, gravitational waves,
GPS, Galileo
nuclear physics, element synthesis
equation of state for degenerate matter
up to nuclear densities
optics, new polishing techniques, glas
and technical ceramics (Zerodur/Ceran)
highly efficient detectors, e.g. CCDs
neutrino physics
unknown particle species
space time physics, quantum gravity
new physics?
medical applications
how special are we?
our view of the world
Fall 2009
 Astronomy’s presumably
most fundamental
contribution to physics
in the last 20 years:

composition today:
Heavy elements = 0.03%
Neutrinos < 1% (Σ<0.6eV)
Stars = 0.5%
H + He gas = 4% (seen ~2%)
Dark matter = 23% (+-2%)
Dark Energy = 72% (+-2%)

Hubble const. = 70+-1 km/s/Mpc

Age = 13.73+-0.12 Gyr
Density Param. = 1.005+-0.006
Spectral Index = 0.960+-0.014

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0.2 Astrophysics in Munich
The Munich/Garching area is a world center of astronomy. It hosts 4 major institutions:

University Observatory of the LMU: almost 200 years of tradition in Astronomy

starting with Fraunhofer. Research focused on structure and formation of stars and
galaxies, plasma astrophysics. Construction of optical instrumentation for large
ground based observatories (like Very Large Telescope, Hobby-Eberly-Telescope),
operation of Wendelstein Observatory in the Alpes.
Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Garching: the leading German
institution for space-based astronomy, built ROSAT and was/is involved in many
satellite projects (ISO, Cluster, HERSCHEL, DUO ...). In addition, participation in
ground based large telescopes (Large Binocular Telescope) and construction of
(primarily infrared) instrumentation for 8m class telescopes and now the European
Extremely Large Telescope. Research focused on compact stellar objects (neutron
stars, black holes), Active Galactic Nuclei and supermassive black holes, interstellar
and intergalactic medium, galaxy formation and plasmas.
Max-Planck-Institute for Astrophysics, Garching: the leading German institution for
theoretical astrophysics with strong ties to observational astronomy (e.g. Data center
for Planck Microwave Background Satellite). Research focused on compact objects,
supernovae, microwave background, intergalactic medium, galaxy formation and
cosmology.

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 European Southern Observatory (Headquarters in Garching): operates the Very Large
Telescope (4x8m) on Paranal and 4m and 2m class telescopes on La Silla in Chile.
The Paranal Observatory is likely the technologically most advanced and powerful
groundbased observatory world-wide. ESO also leads the European participation in the
Atacama Large Millimeter Array (the first global observatory) and is developing a 42m
giant optical telescope.

In addition, several groups exist at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, the Technical

University and the MPI for Physics (Heisenberg-Institute) that are active in Theoretical
Cosmology and Particle-Physics.

Many collaborations exist between these institutions. All institutions together have jointly
organized the International Max-Planck-Research-School on Astrophysics at the
LMU, a graduate school which offers a unique international environment for working on a
PhD project (currently more than 70 students participate in the program).

Astrophysics has lived through a golden age in the last two decades. Even two of the
recently most important discoveries in physics have been made by astrophysicists (dark
matter and dark energy). Astrophysical progress has largely been enabled by new
instrumentation and telescope technologies, satellites and computers. There is no
indication that this boom will slow down soon. The Munich institutions had a fair share
in the discoveries made so far and are well set-up to make important contributions in the
future as well.
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0.3 How information about celestial objects is collected:
Astrophysical information is obtained primarily through electro-
magnetic radiation. Further bits of information come from cosmic
rays and neutrinos. In the future, gravitational waves may offer
another window.
Telescopes foremost have the task to increase the signal per area
before it enters the instrument. Therefore, in general, the bigger a
telescope, the better. Different designs are needed for different
photon energies: e.g.: radio: antennae; optical: classical telescopes
with mirrors, lenses; X-rays: Wolter telescopes; …
Instruments process the incoming photons and map them onto the
detector, e.g., they work as an imager or as a spectrograph. At
wavelengths shorter than ~1 mm single photons can be detected,
e.g., by semiconductors (photoeffect) or calorimeters. At longer
wavelength, the thermal noise becomes too high and one generally
measures the electric field strength (antenna) of the radiation, not
single photons.

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The limiting factors I: the terrestrial atmosphere

Top:
Typical spectrum of
an active galaxy

Bottom:
From the ground the
two main observational
windows are in the
visual / near-infrared
and in the radio range.

Satellites are needed for

the detection of the far-
infrared and ultraviolet
radiation and for X-rays
and gamma-rays.

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The limiting factors II: the background light

terrestrical background
extraterrestrical
background

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Comment to previous slide:

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The limiting factors III: Galactic Extinction

Most recent extinction maps have been derived from the

far-IR dust emission by Schlegel et al.
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Optical/near-infrared telescopes Hubble Space Telescope (2.6m)

Calar Alto 3.5m Very Large Telescope 8m

Large Binocular Telescope (2x8m)

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Mid-infrared to submm SOFIA

telescopes
Herschel

ALMA

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Radio and mm telescopes/antennas
Planck satellite

Very Large Array Pico Veleta Effelsberg

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High-Energy Satellites

ROSAT
CGRO

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 X-ray satellite XMM-Newton

Wolter - telescope:
Parboloid+hyperboloid

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Radiation detectors in visible to radio range
see lecture by R. Genzel

UV visible near-IR mid-IR far-IR submm mm radio

Si CCDs

Si:X, InSb, HgCdTe

+MUX hybrid arrays

Si:X, Ge:X
photoconductors

bolometers

HEMTs

HgCdTe SIS mixers

mixers
hot electron
bolometer
mixers

1 10 100 1000 10000

λ(microns)
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Example of an astronomical CCD imaging camera in 2004:
OmegaCAM with 16000x16000 pixels (~35 cm diameter) for 1 square degree images!
(for Paranal in Chile; collaboration of University Observatories Munich, Goettingen, Groningen, Padova and ESO)

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FORS (FOcal Reducer Spectrograph for the Very Large Telescope)
(build by University Observatories Heidelberg, Goettingen and Munich for the European Southern Observatory)

Instead of one longslit spectrum,

spectra of many objects over the full
field-of-view can be obtained with
masks into which small slitlets have
been cut by a Laser.

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Interferometry

ESO Very Large

Telescope -
Interferometer

basic principle:

‘two holes in screen get

replaced by two 8 m
telescopes!’

main issues:
compensation of optical
path length differences,
vibrations, ….

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VLT interferometer

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Adaptive Optics:

correct for turbulence of atmo-

sphere using a deformable mirror

from R. Genzel

Adaptive Optics at CFHT Hawaii

 now under intense deve-

lopment. First systems are
operational!

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Radio Multi-λ Sky soft X-ray

composed by G. Hasinger

Effelsberg, Parkes ROSAT

Microwave NIR hard X-ray

COBE DMR COBE/DIRBE HEAO-1

FIR visual 26Al

IRAS Comptel

mid-IR Gamma

COBE/DIRBE EGRET
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 and another fundamentally important tool of astrophysics ...

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 Movie Movie Movie

Movie
Movie

Simulations by Matthias Steinmetz (AIP Potsdam), Volker Springel (MPA), Ewald Mueller
(MPA), Andi Burkert (USM)
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The Big Questions (a personal selection)

Formation of stars and planets

Extrasolar planets, search and characterization
Population III
Physics of Supernovae
Nature of γ−ray bursts
The cosmic recycling process (stars-gas-chemical elements)
Formation and evolution of galaxies
Supermassive black holes and active nuclei
Nature of dark matter
Formation of structure in the universe
Dark Energy and cosmological constant
Inflation and phase transitions in the early universe
...........

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Bibliography (a selection)

General Astronomy

* Caroll, B.W., Ostlie, D.A.: Modern Astrophysics, Addison-Wesley 2007

* Schneider, P.: Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology, Springer 2006

Padmanabhan, T: Theoretical Astrophysics I, II, III, Cambridge University Press 2000ff

Kuyper, G., Middlehurst, B. (eds): Stars and Stellar Systems, I, II, III, University of
Chicago Press 1963ff

Audouze, J., Israel, G.: Cambridge Atlas of Astronomy, Cambridge University Press, 1985

Hoskin, M.: Illustrated History of Astronomy, Cambridge Univ. Press 1997

Telescopes and Instruments

Walker G.: Astronomical Observations, Cambridge Uni. Press 1987

Kitchin: Astronomical Techniques, Adam Hilger

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* Lena, P.: Observational Astrophysics, Spinger Verlag, Berlin 1988

Schroeder, D.J.: Astronomical Optics, Academic Press, San Diego 2003

Longair, M.: High Energy Astrophysics, Cambridge University Press 1992

Stars

* Böhm-Vitense, E.: Stellar Astrophysics I, II, III, Cambridge University Press 1997

Kippenhahn, R., Weigert, A.: Stellar Structure and Evolution, A&A Library,
Springer Verlag, Berlin 1990

Schwarzschild, M: Structure and Evolution of the Stars, Dover Publications,

New York, 1958

Mihalas, D.: Stellar Atmospheres, Freeman, San Francisco 1970

Scheffler, H., Els¨asser, H.: Physik der Sterne und der Sonne, Bibliographisches Institut,
Zürich 1974

Bowers, R., Deeming, T.: Astrophysics I, Jones&Bartlett, Boston, 1984

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A.C. Phillips: The Physics of Stars, Wiley, Chichester 1994

* Prialnik, D.: Stellar Structure and Evolution, Cambridge 2000

Arnett, D.: Supernovae and Nucleosynthesis, Princeton University Press, 1996

Shapiro, S., Teukolsky, S.: Black Holes, White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars, Wiley,
New York 1983

Interstellar Medium and Plasmas

* Spitzer, L.: Physical Processes in the Interstellar Medium, Wiley, New York, 1987

Bowers, R., Deeming, T.: Astrophysics II, Jones&Bartlett, Boston, 1984

Scheffler, H., Elsässer, H.: Physics of the Galaxy and Interstellar Matter, Springer, Berlin,
1988

Dopita, M.A., Sutherland, R.S.: Astrophysics of the Diffuse Universe, Springer, Heidelberg,
2003

Dyson, J.E., Williams, D.A.: The Physics of te Interstellar Medium, Institute of Physics
Publishing, Bristol, 1997
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Osterbrock, D.: Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei,
University Science Books, Mill Valley, California, 1989

* Rybicki, G., Lightman, A.: Radiation Processes in Astrophysics, Wiley, New York, 1979

Burton, W., Elmegreen, B., Genzel, R: The Galactic Interstellar Medium, Saas Fee
Course 1991. Springer Verlag, Berlin

Galaxies

* Binney, J., Merrifield, M.: Galactic Astronomy, Princeton University Press, 1998

Sparke, L., Gallagher, J.: Galaxies in the Universe, Cambridge University Press, 2000

* Binney, J., Tremaine, S.: Galactic Dynamics, Princeton Univ. Press, 1987, 2008

Tinsley, B.M., in: Fund. of Cosm. Physics, Vol.5, p.287, 1980

* Pagel, B.: Nucleosynthesis and Chemical Evolution of Galaxies, Cambridge University

Press 1997

* Peterson, B.: Active Galactic Nuclei, Cambridge University Press, 1997

Longair, M.: High Energy Astrophysics, Cambridge University Press 1992

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Large Scale Structure and Cosmology

* Peebles, P.J.E.: The Physical Universe, Princeton Univ. Press, 1993

Boerner, G.: The Early Universe, Springer Verlag 2003

Padmanabhan, T.: Structure Formation in the Universe, Cambridge Univ. Press, 1993

Dodelson, S.: Modern Cosmology, Academic Press 2003

* Peacock, J.: Cosmological Physics, Cambridge University Press 1999

Longair, M.: Galaxy Formation, Springer Verlag 1998

and

Symposia of the International Astronomical Union

Symposia of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
A&A (= Astronomy and Astrophysics)
ApJ (= Astrophysical Journal)
AJ (= Astronomical Journal)
MNRAS (= Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society)
PASP (= Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific)
Nature ...

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