Level of study
BAC +5
ECTS
3 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
18h
Description
Interstellar medium: physicochemical processes - phases - radio astronomy.
This UE allows to acquire notions on the physico-chemical processes important for the interstellar medium (dynamic, thermal and chemical processes) as well as on the associated observational diagnostics (molecular spectroscopy, radioastronomy). The main phases of the interstellar medium (ionized, atomic and molecular phases) are also presented.
Objectives
Knowledge of important physico-chemical processes in very dilute media
Knowledge of the different phases of the interstellar medium
Introduction to radio astronomy
Necessary pre-requisites
Atomic physics (Atoms, Molecules and Radiation)
Hydrodynamics
Recommended Prerequisites:
Astrophysics
Fluid dynamics in astrophysics and cosmology
Knowledge control
Final written exam
Syllabus
Introduction: presentation of the general characteristics of the interstellar medium
Fundamental processes in atomic and molecular physics for astrophysics: Einstein coefficients - collisional excitation (inelastic collisions) - statistical equilibrium - rotation and vibration of molecules
Phases of the interstellar medium: H II region - cold atomic medium - molecular clouds
Interstellar chemistry: Astrochemistry: General - Introduction to reaction dynamics - Chemistry in the gas phase (neutral-neutral bimolecular reactions, ion-molecule,...) - Chemistry at the surface of solids (grains, ices) - Prebiotic chemistry
Interstellar dust
Photodissociation regions: thermal and dynamic processes
Radio astronomy