Astrophysics

Objectives:
The objective of the course is discussion of astrophysical concepts of stellar formation, evolution, stability, and dynamics and end stages of stars.

Competences:
Knowledge and understanding of conditions for formation of stars and planetary systems, evolution and end states of stars and stellar dynamics.

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• The properties of interstellar gas and dust.
• The formation of stars and planets: protostar and the protoplanetary disk, the formation of Earth-like planets, the formation of cloud regions, the development of planetary systems, methods of detection and observation of exoplanets.
• Basics of astro-seismology, stellar oscillations and stability.
• Final stages of stars: characteristics and description of the white dwarfs, neutron stars (millisecond pulsars, magnetars) and black holes.
• High-energy transient events: properties and types of supernovae, gravitational wave events, gamma ray bursts, f a s t X - r a y t r a n s i e n t s , tidal disruption events by black holes, radio flares.
• Accretion to compact objects: accretion disc models, jet formation, X-ray binaries, active galactic nuclei, black holes: active and inactive.
• Stellar dynamics: multiple stellar systems, dynamics of stars in globular clusters, in the vicinity of galactic centres and supermassive black holes.
• The dynamics of our Milky Way Galaxy: a black hole in the center, stellar streams, Gaia mission.

Students will become familiar with:
- formation of stars and planets
- evolution of stars
- end states of stars
- stellar dynamics
- dynamics in the Milky Way galaxy

• R. Kippenhahn, A. Weigert: Stellar Structure and Evolution, Springer-Verlag, 1994. E-version
• N. Duric: Advanced Astrophysics, Cambridge University Press, 2003. E-version
• P.J. Armitage: Astrophysics of Planet Formation, Cambridge University Press, 2013.
• M.H.P.M. Van Putten, A. Levinson: Relativistic Astrophysics of the Transient Universe, Cambridge University Press, 2012.
• U. Kolb, Extreme Environment Astrophysics, Cambridge University Press, 2010.

• written tests, writen exam
• oral exam

Prof. Dr. Andreja Gomboc main filed of research are tidal distruption of stars by massive black holes, gamma-ray bursts, and gravitational wave events. She is a member of seveal international astrophysical collaborations, e.g. Gaia, Rubin LSST. She has published more than 130 scientific papers in international refereed journals. She is the author of the textbook Astronomy Fundamentals, published in 2025 by UNG Press.

Izbrane objave /selected publications:

1. G. Ghirlanda et al (incl. A. Gomboc). HERMES: Gamma-ray burst and gravitational wave counterpart hunter. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 689, id.A175, 2024.

2. Gaia Collaboration (incl. A. Gomboc). Discovery of a dormant 33 solar-mass black hole in pre- release Gaia astrometry. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 686, id.L2, 2024.

3. T. Jankovič, C. Bonnerot, A. Gomboc. Spin-induced offset stream self-crossing shocks in tidal disruption events. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 529, 1, 2024.

4. K. Bučar Bricman, S. Van Velzen, M. Nicholl, A. Gomboc. Rubin Observatory's Survey Strategy Performance for Tidal Disruption Events. The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 268, 1, 2023.

5. T. Jankovič, A. Gomboc. The Mass Fallback Rate of the Debris in Relativistic Stellar Tidal
   Disruption Events. The Astrophysical Journal, 946, 1, 2023.