Course Details
Subject {L-T-P / C} : PH5112 : Stellar and Planetary Atmosphere { 3-0-0 / 3}
Subject Nature : Theory
Coordinator : Suryanarayan Dash
Syllabus
| Module 1 : |
(6 hrs): Composition and structure of the atmosphere, stellar and planetary atmosphere, Hydrostatic equilibrium and pressure stratification, Optical depth and radiative transfer basics. |
| Module 2 : |
(8 hrs): The equation of radiative transfer, Emission, absorption, and scattering processes, Opacity sources: bound-bound, bound-free, free-free transitions, Thomson scattering, Line formation and broadening mechanisms, Doppler, natural, collisional, and Stark broadening. |
| Module 3 : |
(8 hrs): Change in atmospheric pressure, temperature, and density with altitude, Basic radiative transfer in the atmosphere, Concept of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and Non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE). |
| Module 4 : |
(6 hrs): Equation of motion and fundamental forces, circulation of the atmosphere, Atmospheric waves and turbulence, Weather systems: cyclones, anticyclones, monsoons. |
| Module 5 : |
(8 hrs): Observational techniques to characterize explanatory atmosphere: photometry, spectroscopy, and polarimetry, The role of magnetic fields in stellar & planetary atmospheres, effect of stellar winds on planetary atmosphere. |
Course Objective
| 1 . |
To understand the structure of the stellar and planetary atmosphere |
| 2 . |
To analyze the atmospheric dynamics and circulation patterns |
| 3 . |
To apply the radiative transfer principles in stellar atmospheres |
| 4 . |
To understand the planetary weather systems |
| 5 . |
To characterize the exoplanet and their atmosphere |
Course Outcome
| 1 . |
At the end of course, students will be able to:
|
| 2 . |
CO2: learn to apply radiative transfer processes. |
| 3 . |
CO3: acquire the knowledge of line formation and broadening mechanism. |
| 4 . |
CO4: understand the concept of LTE and NLTE. |
| 5 . |
CO5: characterize stellar and planetary atmospheres. |
Essential Reading
| 1 . |
Salby, M.L., , Physics of the Atmosphere and Climate, Cambridge University Press |
| 2 . |
Pierrehumbert, R.T., Principles of Planetary Climate, Cambridge University Press. |
| 3 . |
Gray, D.F., The Observation and Analysis of Stellar Photospheres, Cambridge University Press. |
| 4 . |
Seinfeld, J.H., & Pandis, S.N., Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change, Wiley. |
Supplementary Reading
| 1 . |
J. A. Bittencourt, Fundamentals of Plasma Physics, Springer |
| 2 . |
Lamers, H.J.G.L.M., & Cassinelli, J.P. , Introduction to Stellar Winds, Cambridge University Press. . (1999). |
| 3 . |
Hubeny, I., & Mihalas, D.,, Theory of Stellar Atmospheres: An Introduction to Astrophysical Non-equilibrium Quantitative Spectroscopic Analysis, Princeton University Press. |
Journal and Conferences
| 1 . |