M2 - Astrophysics

This course will cover the main aspects of star and planetary system formation in two parts of equal length. Star formation will address the stability of clouds in equilibrium and stability, the collapse of dense cores, protostars and their evolution, and the impact of young stars on their environment. Planetary formation will draw on constraints from the solar system and detections of extrasolar planets to discuss the structure and evolution of protoplanetary disks, and the formation of terrestrial planets and giant planets.

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English tutorial course for students enrolled in the Master 2 Physics program who are seeking professional integration in English in a contemporary context.

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This course covers the essentials needed for a good understanding of the physics of atmospheres and stellar winds. The key elements of radiation transfer theory are covered, both in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and off-LTE, as well as the description of gas (equation of state) and its interaction with the radiation field (opacities). Modern models and simulations are presented with their application to the determination of stellar parameters, in particular chemical composition, via spectroscopy. The different types of stellar winds (pressure, radiative, hybrid) are described using theories compared with observations.

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During the Observational Astrophysics Workshop 2 course, students must complete all stages of an observational astrophysics study. From defining the spectroscopic or photometric observations to be carried out during a four-night stay at the Haute-Provence Observatory, to modeling and critically discussing their measurements and writing a scientific report, students are actively involved in this course.

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The aim is to present the various observations and associated theoretical concepts—known as cosmological probes—that have helped to validate the ΛCDM cosmological model, known as the "concordance" model. The course is divided into chapters of roughly equal length. It is supplemented by a series of seminars presented by students (flipped classroom) that explore more observational and technical aspects (based on a publication from a major collaboration).

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Interstellar medium: physicochemical processes – phases – radio astronomy.

This course provides students with an understanding of the physical and chemical processes that are important for the interstellar medium (dynamic, thermal, and chemical processes) as well as the associated observational diagnostics (molecular spectroscopy, radio astronomy). The main phases of the interstellar medium (ionized, atomic, and molecular phases) are also presented.

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This EU lays the foundations for our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, from the astrophysical processes involved on small scales in star formation to the effects of the environment on very large scales. A dual approach will be used, with theoretical aspects on the one hand and observational aspects on the other.

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Much of our understanding of the Universe relies on understanding and accurately modeling stars. Stars constitute a very important part of the integrated light of galaxies, and are major contributors to the chemical and dynamic evolution of galaxies. In this course, we will discuss the physics describing stellar structure and study how this structure evolves over time in the case of isolated stars.

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Four-month internship in a laboratory with the aim of immersing students in the world of research and preparing them for their thesis.

This internship can be carried out in a research laboratory in France or abroad.

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This EU presents astrophysics instruments and the signal processing tools associated with their operation.

The focus is on instruments with high angular resolution and high contrast (interferometry, adaptive optics, coronography, etc.).

In addition, this EU introduces the basics of digital signal processing and presents a general methodology, based on modeling instrumental effects, for image reconstruction or optimal use of measurements.

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Research in astrophysics is based on various approaches (observations, theory, modeling, simulation), all of which have in common the use of advanced digital tools.

In order to best prepare M2 Astrophysics students for research work, this module offers them the opportunity, in a different setting from that of an internship, to carry out individual supervised digital work on a project proposed by a tutor, focusing on the use and/or development of professional-level code to answer a specific astrophysical question.

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