Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca
Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Study Cycle: Graduate
SUBJECT

Code	Subject	
MMM0005	Special Topics in Astronomy	

Section	Sem.	Hours: C+S+L	Category	Type	
Mathematics - in Romanian	6	2+1+0	speciality	optional	
Applied Mathematics	6	2+1+0	speciality	optional	

Teaching Staff in Charge	Assoc.Prof. BLAGA Cristina Olivia, Ph.D., cpblaga@math.ubbcluj.ro	
Aims	The aim of the course is the acquirement of knowledge about stars (formation, structure and evolution), stellar systems (from double and multiple stars to galaxies and clusters of galaxies) and about Universe as a whole. These knowledge, together with those gathered at the course of Astronomy from the 5th semester, represent an introduction to the fundamental problems of Astronomy and belong to the minimal knowledge of a student who wants to apply for special courses in Astronomy.	
Content	I. Stars. Their structure and evolution.
1. Observational facts and hypothesis of the theory of the stellar structure.
2. The equations of the inner stellar structure (the mass and impluse conservation laws, the energy law, the equations of energy transfer in a star, state equation). Characteristic times.
3. Termonuclear reactions - principal energy source in stars.
4. The Sun as star. Physical parameters, inner structure, solar atmosphere and solar activity.
5. Basic equation of the stellar interior. Stellar models.
6. The origin and evolution of stars. Formation of stars and planets. Final states of stars evolution.    
II. Our Galaxy. Formation and evolution of our Galaxy.
III. Elements of extragalactical Astronomy. Galaxies taxonomy. Physical and dynamical properties of galaxies. Their formation and evolution. Active galactic nuclei and quasars. Galaxies distribution in Universe. Clusters of galaxies. The Local Group of Galaxies. The Metagalaxy. The Universe on large scale. The Newtonian cosmology. The formation of the Universe.   	
Bibliography	1.ABHYANKAR K.D.: Astrophysics: Stars and Galaxies, Universities Press India, 2001.
2.COLLINS G.W.: The Fundamentals of Astrophysics, Cambridge University Press, 2003.
3.NARLIKAR J.V.: Elements of Cosmology, Universities Press India, 1998.
4.PRIALNIK D.: An Introduction to the Theory of Stellar Structure and Evolution, Cambridge University Press, 2000. 
5.URECHE V.: Universul, Astrofizica, vol. II, Editura Dacia, Cluj-Napoca, 1985.
WEIGERT A., WENDKER H.J., WISOTZKI L.: Astronomie und Astrophysik, Wiley-VCH, 2005.	
Assessment	The mark is a weighted mean between the mark obtained for the activity during the semester (30%) and the mark obtained at the written exam at the end of semester (70%). For the evaluation of the activity during the semester we will take into account the active participation of the students in semiars and the earnestness with which they approach their assignments.