SubjectsSubjects(version: 945)
Course, academic year 2023/2024
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Stellar Atmospheres - NAST002
Title: Hvězdné atmosféry
Guaranteed by: Astronomical Institute of Charles University (32-AUUK)
Faculty: Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
Actual: from 2023
Semester: summer
E-Credits: 4
Hours per week, examination: summer s.:3/0, Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: Czech
Teaching methods: full-time
Teaching methods: full-time
Guarantor: doc. Mgr. Daniela Korčáková, Ph.D.
Classification: Physics > Astronomy and Astrophysics
Annotation -
Last update: prof. RNDr. David Vokrouhlický, DrSc. (10.01.2019)
Introduction to modeling of stellar and planetary atmospheres; radiative transfer equation and its numerical solutions; models of atmospheres, magnetohydrodynamics and equilibrium in atmospheres; physical processes in atmospheres of different stellar types, planets and accretion discs. Two-level model of atom, numerical solution of the radiation transfer equation.
Course completion requirements -
Last update: doc. Mgr. Daniela Korčáková, Ph.D. (07.06.2019)

The oral part consists form one question relating to the theory of stellar atmospheres and one to the physical processes in the stellar and planetary atmospheres, or accretion discs. The discussion about a chosen paper is also a part of the exam.

Literature -
Last update: prof. RNDr. David Vokrouhlický, DrSc. (10.01.2019)

Hubený, I. & Mihalas, D. Theory of Stellar Atmosheres, Princeton University Press, 2015

Lamers, H.J.L.M, Introduction to Stellar Winds, Cambridge University Press, 2012

Michaud, G., Alecian, G., Richer, J. Atomic Diffusion in Stars, Springer, 2015

Mihalas, D., Stellar Atmospheres, W. H. Freedman and Company, 1978

Mihalas, D. & Mihalas, B.W., Foundations of Radiation Hydrodynamics, Oxford University Press, 1984

Rutten, R.J., Radiative Transfer in Stellar Atmospheres, Lecture Notes Utrecht University, 2003

Teaching methods - Czech
Last update: T_AUUK (31.03.2008)

Přednáška.

Requirements to the exam -
Last update: doc. Mgr. Daniela Korčáková, Ph.D. (07.06.2019)

A student has to be prepared for the discussion about the article, which she/he will choose from the list given at the beginning of the semester.

Syllabus -
Last update: prof. RNDr. David Vokrouhlický, DrSc. (10.01.2019)
Theory of stellar atmospheres
Characterising radiation fields: specific intensity, flux, energy density, Maxwell equations, radiation pressure tensor, opacity, emissivity, optical depth, scattering, photon mean free path.

Radiative transfer equation: formulation, moments, diffusion approximation, boundary conditions, formal solution, numerical solutions - Feautrier method, short characteristic method, long characteristic method, discontinuous finite element method, Monte Carlo method. Radiative transfer equation in moving media - Lorentz transformation, radiative transfer equation in the observer frame, in the comoving frame, Sobolev method.

Grey atmosphere, Rosseland mean opacity, Planck mean opacity, Milne relations, Eddington solution.

Einstein coefficients, Planck law, Einstein relations, classical oscillator, cross sections, oscillator strengths, Gaunt factors, opacity, negative ion of hydrogen, electron scattering, Rayleigh scattering, Boltzmann equation, Saha equation, state equation, thermodynamic equilibrium, local thermodynamic equilibrium, non-LTE, radiative rates, collisional rates, equation of statistical equilibrium.

Models of stellar atmospheres

Line broadening - natural broadening, pressure broadening, thermal broadening, Voigt function, Holtzmark theory, Milne-Eddington model, limb darkening, gravity darkening.

Physical processes in individual objects
Physical processes in stellar atmospheres: convection - convective equilibrium, semi-convection, thermohaline convection; pulsations; element segregation - diffusion equation, settling, radiative levitation; stellar winds - isothermal winds, non-isothermal winds, coronal winds (see solar physics), dust driven winds, line driven winds, Alfvén wave driven winds (see solar physics).

Planetary atmospheres and atmospheres of brown dwarfs: terminology astronomy vs meteorology, processes in planetary atmospheres, types of giant planets, standard model, numerical models.

Atmospheres of individual stellar types: pre-main sequence stars, main sequence stars, WR stars, white dwarfs, neutron stars, accretion discs, novae.

 
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