PHYMJ66: Space Physics #
This course was introduced by BHU in 2024 in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 framework for the BSc Physics major students. The syllabus of the course is stated below.
Positional Astronomy #
Astronomical Coordinate Systems, measurement of astronomical parameters (mass, radius, time, distance, luminosity measurements), Solar and Sidereal day, Optical telescopes and designs. Detection method of radio-wave, X-ray, gamma-ray, gravitational wave.
The Sun #
Structure of the Sun: Solar interior, solar atmosphere; Solar structures, Sun spots and their properties, Prominences, Solar Flares; CME, Solar cycle, Solar magnetic field; Solar Wind: Properties of solar wind, Magnetic field frozen into solar wind, Heliosphere.
The Planets and Earth #
Defining planets; Terrestrial planets, Giant planets; Minor objects: Kuiper belt objects, asteroids, meteoroids; Planetary formation, Planetary structure and generation of magnetic fields, Exoplanet. Earth’s Interior, magnetic field, atmosphere: composition, constituents; Ionosphere: Its structure & formation; Aurora Borealis; Magnetosphere: Its structure, Magnetopause, Magnetotail.
The Stars & Galaxies #
The Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram; Star-birth; The main sequence; Nuclear reactions; Stellar evolution, Post-main sequence; Stellar remnants: white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes. Hubbles’s classification of galaxies, Spiral and elliptical galaxies, Milky way galaxy, galaxy clusters and cosmological origin.
Recent developments in Space and Astronomy #
Satellite launching vehicles, Indian Satellite missions: history, recent and future missions, Astrobiology, multi messenger astronomy, Space Situational Awareness.
Huh!! This is an introductory course in astronomy.