Multiwavelength Observations of Galaxy Clusters - astro849
| Course | Multiwavelength Observations of Galaxy Clusters |
|---|---|
| Course No. | astro849 |
| Category | Type | Language | Teaching hours | CP | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elective | Lecture with exercises | English | 2+1 | 4 | ST |
Preparation: Introductory Astronomy lectures
Form of Testing and Examination: Written or oral examination, successful exercise work
Length of Course: 1 semester
Aims of the Course: To introduce the students into the largest clearly defined structures in the Universe, clusters of galaxies. In modern astronomy, it has been realized that a full understanding of objects cannot be achieved by looking at just one waveband. Different phenomena become apparent only in certain wavebands, e.g., the most massive visible component of galaxy clusters - the intracluster gas - cannot be detected with optical telescopes. Moreover, some phenomena, e.g., radio outbursts from supermassive black holes, influence others like the X-ray emission from the intracluster gas. In this course, the students will acquire a synoptic, mulitwavelength view of galaxy groups and galaxy clusters.
Contents of the Course: The lecture covers galaxy cluster observations from all wavebands, radio through gamma-ray, and provides a comprehensive overview of the physical mechanisms at work. Specifically, the following topics will be covered: galaxies and their evolution, physics and chemistry of the hot intracluster gas, relativistic gas, and active supermassive black holes; cluster weighing methods, Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect, gravitational lensing, radio halos and relics, and the most energetic events in the Universe since the big bang: cluster mergers.
Recommended Literature: Lecture script and references therein