Syllabus

Module-1 (9 hours)
Extra-Galactic System: Structure and evolution of our Galaxy Milky Way, Classification of Galaxies (spirals, elliptical and irregulars, Hubble pitchfork classification), Clusters of Galaxies, Galaxy interactions, Determination of the masses, Determination of extra-galactic distances.

Module-2 (7 hours)
Active Galaxies: Active galaxies and galactic nuclei, Radio galaxies, Quasars and their properties, Accretion discs, Supermassive Black holes.

Module-3 ( 9 hours)
Galactic Structure: General Galactic rotational law. Oort’s theory of galactic rotation. Determination of Oort’s constants. Spiral structure of our Galaxy from optical and radio Observations. Size and mass of our galaxy.

Module-4 ( 11 hours)
Galactic Dynamics: Background radiation and disk component, discrete sources of thermal and non thermal radiation, HII regions and supernovae remnants, 21-cm hydrogen and OH line radiations. Spiral structure of the galaxy, pulsars, radio galaxies, QSO’s and active galactic nuclei-their implications on cosmology.

To inculcate the students about our present knowledge of the galactic and extra-galactic astronomy.

Using knowledge of basic physics and astrophysics, students will understand the origin and evolution of the larger picture of cosmic universe.

To provide the overall picture of the galactic structure and evolution with the recently available galactic observations.

To give insight on the most luminous objects of the Universe, the AGNs.

CO 1: Understanding Galaxy Structure
Students will comprehend the structure of the Milky Way and other galaxies.
CO 2: Galaxy Characteristics and Evolution
Students will describe characteristics of different galaxy types and understand their formation and evolution in a cosmological context.
CO 3: Deriving Physical Parameters
Students will acquire knowledge on deriving physical parameters related to galaxies.
CO 4: Galactic Phenomena and Universal Insights
Students will understand various phenomena within galaxies, how they aid in gathering knowledge about galaxies, and the broader universe.

J. Binney and M. Merrifield, Galactic astronomy, Princeton University Press 2nd edition

J. Binney and S. Tremaine, Galactic Dynamics, Princeton University Press 2nd edition

Frank Shu, Physical Universe, University Science Books

Bradley Caroll and Dale A. Ostile, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Addison-Wesley 2nd edition