Module: High Energy Astrophysics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	High Energy Astrophysics
Module Code	ASP1009 (ITS: PS529)
Faculty	Mathematical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module focuses on the properties of high energy galactic sources, such as pulsars and X-ray binaries, and processes leading to their formation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Attain a good knowledge of the techniques related to the detection of X-ray and Gamma-ray photons.
2. Critically discuss the high-energy emission properties of X-ray binaries.
3. Understand the physical principles of mass accretion on compact objects (black holes and neutron stars)
4. Quantitatively describe the structure and spectra of accretion disks in their basic form
5. Explain current high energy cosmic ray observations, and describe their features.
6. Summarise the strengths and weaknesses of current theories of star formation.
7. Explain the evolution of stars of a variety of masses, from their formation to their death

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Tutorial	12	No Description
Independent Study	79	No Description
Assignment Completion	10	oral presentation on a assigned research paper
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20051	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Maria Chernyakova	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	solution of problems given for home work	15%	n/a
Presentation	presentation of recent astrophysical paper	5%	n/a
Formal Examination	mix of quantative and descriptive questions	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

High energy detectors
X-ray detectors, Gev detectots, TeV detectors, Cosmic Ray detectors

star formation
Jeans instability; Stages of gravitational contraction.

X-ray binaries
Low and high mass X-ray binaries; gamma-ray binaries, colliding wind binaries

pulsars
Various models of radio, X-ray and gamma-ray pulsars.

stellar evolution
difference between the evolution of low and high mass stars, degenerate gas, supernovae, compact objects

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Malcolm S. Longair: 0, High Energy Astrophysics, 978-052175618
Bradley W. Carroll,Dale A. Ostlie: 2007, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Addison-Wesley, 1278, 0805304029

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None