Students
ASTR3010 – Astrophysics of Radiation and Stars
2022 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Orsola De Marco
Richard de Grijs
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(ASTR278 or ASTR2020) and (PHYS202 or PHYS2020)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
The first part of this unit covers the physical mechanisms responsible for the generation, absorption and scattering of light in environments as diverse as rarefied nebulae, hot compact stellar atmospheres and distant galaxies. During the second part of the unit the theory of stellar structure and evolution is developed. Students become familiar with spectroscopic observations and the python programming language, and carry out a project using computer models of how stars live and die. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: discuss principles and difficulties of observational methods that allow us to interpret the physical characteristics of an astronomical object based on the light we receive from it.
- ULO2: demonstrate knowledge of the way radiation interacts with matter in different astrophysical environments through solving radiative transfer problems.
- ULO3: describe the internal structure of our Sun and stars other than the Sun, and explain the key observational properties of different types of stars.
- ULO4: apply the equations of stellar structure and the simplifications that lead to polytropic stellar models.
- ULO5: explain the processes and physics involved in stellar evolution, including the processes that bring about stellar death.
- ULO6: apply computational techniques to model physical phenomena in different astrophysical environments using the Unix environment and elements of the python computing language.
- ULO7: design, conduct, analyse and report on observational experiments related to measuring the radiation from stars, galaxies and other astronomical objects in order to determine their properties.
General Assessment Information
Project: a computational project based on calculating and analysing the structure and evolution of a given star. It is almost entirely carried out in the computer lab sessions in the second part of the semester. The Project report will be due one week after the last PC Lab class.
Assignments: there will be 4 assignments, 2 per each part of the unit. They will be approximately evenly scattered.
Observational task: Students will observe a number of targets using MQ Observatory. They will also analyse their observational data (in case of bad weather, data will be provided). A small component of this observational task will be conducted in the laboratory. The students will have to carry out some tasks related to constructing an astronomical spectrograph. A report of this activity will be due after the semester break.
A standard, 3-hour, written exam (plus 10 min reading time) will be given in the university examination period.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | 20% | Yes | 07/05/22 |
| Observational Analysis Task | 20% | No | Mon W8 |
| Assignments | 20% | No | Ass 1 Thu W4; Ass 2 Thu W7; Ass 3 Thu W10. Ass 4 Thu W13. |
| Final examination | 40% | Yes | MQ Examination timetable. |
Project
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 07/05/22
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Project involving computer programming, astrophysical interpretation, report and presentation
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply computational techniques to model physical phenomena in different astrophysical environments using the Unix environment and elements of the python computing language.
Observational Analysis Task
Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Mon W8
Weighting: 20%
A report on the outcomes of collection and analysis of observational data.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply computational techniques to model physical phenomena in different astrophysical environments using the Unix environment and elements of the python computing language.
- design, conduct, analyse and report on observational experiments related to measuring the radiation from stars, galaxies and other astronomical objects in order to determine their properties.
Assignments
Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Ass 1 Thu W4; Ass 2 Thu W7; Ass 3 Thu W10. Ass 4 Thu W13.
Weighting: 20%
A series of assignments throughout the session
On successful completion you will be able to:
- discuss principles and difficulties of observational methods that allow us to interpret the physical characteristics of an astronomical object based on the light we receive from it.
- demonstrate knowledge of the way radiation interacts with matter in different astrophysical environments through solving radiative transfer problems.
- describe the internal structure of our Sun and stars other than the Sun, and explain the key observational properties of different types of stars.
- apply the equations of stellar structure and the simplifications that lead to polytropic stellar models.
- explain the processes and physics involved in stellar evolution, including the processes that bring about stellar death.
Final examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: MQ Examination timetable.
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Examination during the exam period covering all content from the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- discuss principles and difficulties of observational methods that allow us to interpret the physical characteristics of an astronomical object based on the light we receive from it.
- demonstrate knowledge of the way radiation interacts with matter in different astrophysical environments through solving radiative transfer problems.
- describe the internal structure of our Sun and stars other than the Sun, and explain the key observational properties of different types of stars.
- apply the equations of stellar structure and the simplifications that lead to polytropic stellar models.
- explain the processes and physics involved in stellar evolution, including the processes that bring about stellar death.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Two hours per week lectures will be live/in-person and recodred on Echo360.
One hour per week SGTA will be class based problems done in groups and alone.
Week 1-6: a series of observing sessions, computer lab sessions and laboratory sessions.
Week 7-13: 3 hours per week computer lab. Some in between labs preparation needed.
Unit Schedule
Please refer to the University timetable.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
Richard deGrijs replaces Ricahrd McDermid.
The materinal is mostly the same but this year we have added a laboratory component (building a spectrograph) to the observing project conducted in the first half of the unit.
Unit information based on version 2022.03 of the Handbook