Proposed Syllabus for Cosmology and Astrophysics as

Special Paper

Course No: PHS 306

Cosmology and Astrophysics: Spl I
Marks: 50

Group A (Cosmology)
1. Review of special theory of relativity: Poincare and Minkowski’s 4-
dimensional formulation - geometrical representation of Lorentz
transformations in Minkowski’s space and length contraction - time dilation
and causality - time-like and space-like vectors - Newton second law of motion
expressed in terms of 4-vectors.
2. Review of tensor calculus: Idea of Euclidean and non-Euclidean space -
meaning of parallel transport and covariant derivatives - Geodesics and
autoparallel curves - Curvature tensor and its properties - Bianchi Identities -
vanishing of Riemann-Christoffel tensor as the necessary and sufficient
condition of flatness - Ricci tensor -Einstein tensor.
3. Einstein’s field equations: Inconsistencies of Newtonian gravitation with
STR - Principles of equivalence - Principle of general covariance -Metric
tensors and Newtonian Gravitational potential - Logical steps leading to
Einstein’s field equations of gravitation - Linearised equation for weak fields -
Poisson’s equation.
Books Recommended:
1. J. V. Narlikar- General Relativity and Cosmology (MacMillion, 1978).
2. S. Weinberg- Gravitation and Cosmology: Principles and Applications of the
General Theory of Relativity (Wiley, 1972).
3. P. G. Bergmann- Introduction to Theory of Relativity (Pren tice-Hall, 1969).
4. J. V. Narlikar –Introduction to Cosmology (Cambridge Univ, Press, 1993).
5. A. K. Roychaudhuri, S. Banerjee and A. banerjee- General Relativity,
Astrophysics and Cosmology (Springer-Verlag, 1992).
6. S. Banerji and A. Banerjee – General Relativity and Cosmology (Elsevier,
2007)
7. R. Resnick – Introduction to Special Theory of Relativity.
8. S. Banerji and A. Banerjee – The Special Theory of Relativity (Prentice Hall
of India, 2002)
9. W.G.V.Rosser – Introduction to the Theory of Relativity.

Group B (Astrophysics)

1. Units and Measurements: Electromagnetic Spectrum - Measuring

stellar characteristics (temperature, distance, luminosity, mass, size).

2. Sky coordinates and motions: Earth Rotation - Sky coordinates - seasons

- phases of the Moon - the Moon's orbit and eclipses – time keeping (sidereal
vs synodic period); Planetary motions - Kepler's Laws

3. Solar System: Formation of Solar System - Planet types - The Jovian

Planets and Terrestial Planets - Introduction to Earth - Comparing Earth to
other Terrestial Planets -Atmosphere and geology of different planets.

4. Extra-solar planets: The Search for Extrasolar Planets -The First

Discoveries of Extrasolar Planets - Are there Planets like Earth? - Methods for
finding Extrasolar Planets

5. Steller Structure and Evolution: Luminosity, Effective Temperature,

Stellar Magnitudes. Boltzmann and Saha Ionization Equations. Spectral
Classification of Stars. Hertzsprung-Russel (H-R) diagram. Hydrostatic
Equilibrium, Equilibriumof a gas of Non-relativistic and Ultra-relativistic
particles. Gravitational energy and Virial theorem. Jeans criteria for Star
Formation, Fragmentation of Collapsing clouds. Free-Fall Times.

Books Recommended:

1. BW Carroll & DA Ostlie, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Latest

Edition, Addison-Wesley.
2. Frank Shu, The Physical Universe, Latest Edition, University Science Books
3. Martin Harwit, Astrophysical Concepts, Latest Edition, Springer.
4. T. Padmanabhan, Invitation to Astrophysics, Latest Edition, World Scientific
Publishing Co.
5. T. Padmanabhan, Theoretical Astrophysics vols 1-3, Latest Edition,
Cambridge University Press.
6. Malcolm Longair, High Energy Astrophysics, vols 1-2, Latest Edition,
Cambridge University Press.
7. Sparke and Gallaghar, Galaxies in the Universe: An Introduction, Latest
Edition, Cambridge University Press.
8. Dina Prialnik: An Introduction to the Theory of Stellar Structure and
Evolution, Latest Edition, Cambridge University Press.
 Course No: PHS 405 (c)
Cosmology and Astrophysics: Spl I
Marks: 50

1. Identification of following objects with naked eyes or a binocular.

a) Mercury, b) Venus, c) Mars, d) Jupiter e) Saturn, f) North Pole, f) The
Big Dipper (Ursa Major) g) The Little Dipper (Ursa Minor), h)
Betelgeuse and i) Cassiopeia.
2. Study of movement of Moon between rise to set time using a compass.
3. Study of movement of Venus in sky between rise to set time of the planet
using a compass.
4. Study of movement of Mars in sky between rise to set time of the planet
using a compass.
5. Study of movement of Jupiter in sky between rise to set time of the
planet using a compass.
6. Study of movement of Saturn in sky between rise to set time of the
planet using a compass.
7. Study of movement of a bright star in sky between rise to set time of the
source using a compass.
8. Identify Sun spots with a solar-filter or a mirror.

Course No: PHS 406

Cosmology and Astrophysics: Spl II
Marks: 50
Group A (Cosmology)
1. Applications of general relativity: Schwarzschild’s exterior solution -
singularity, event horizon and black holes - isotropic coordinates -Birkhoff’s
theorem - Observational tests of Einstein’s theory.
2. Gravitational Collapse and Black Holes (Qualitative): Introduction:
Qualitative discussions on: White Dwarfs, Neutron stars and Black Holes -
Static Black Holes (Schwarzschild and Reissner-Nordstrom) - Rotating Black
Holes - Kerr Metric (derivation not required) -Event Horizon - Extraction of
energy by Penrose process -Kerr-Neumann Metric (no derivation) -No hair
theorem -Cosmic Censorship Hypothesis.
3. Cosmology: Introduction - Cosmological Principles -Weyl postulates -
Robertson-Walker metric (derivation is not required) -Cosmological
parameters -Static Universe -Expanding universe -Open and Closed universe -
Cosmological red shift -Hubble’s law -Olber’s Paradox -Qualitative discussions
on: Big Bang, Early Universe (thermal history and nucleosynthesis), Cosmic
Microwave Background Radiation, Event Horizon, Particle Horizon and some
problems of Standard Cosmology.
Books Recommended:
1. J. V. Narlikar- General Relativity and Cosmology (MacMillion, 1978).
2. S. Weinberg- Gravitation and Cosmology: Principles and Applications of the
General Theory of Relativity (Wiley, 1972). 3. P. G. Bergmann- Introduction to
Theory of Relativity (Pren tice-Hall, 1969).
4. J. V. Narlikar –Introduction to Cosmology (Cambridge Univ, Press, 1993).
5. A. K. Roychaudhuri, S. Banerjee and A. banerjee- General Relativity,
Astrophysics and Cosmology (Springer-Verlag, 1992).
6. S. Banerji and A. Banerjee – General Relativity and Cosmology (Elsevier,
2007)
7. R. Resnick – Introduction to Special Theory of Relativity.
8. S. Banerji and A. Banerjee – The Special Theory of Relativity (Prentice Hall
of India, 2002)
9. W.G.V. Rosser – Introduction to the Theory of Relativity.

Group B (Astrophysics)
1. Stellar Structure and Evolution: Heat transfer by random motion and
convection - Temperature gradient in stars -Equations of stellar structure and
evolution - Polytropic stellar model -Lane-Emden equation -Thermo-nuclear
reactions in stars - PP chains and CNO cycle - Solar Neutrino problem -
Helium and advanced burning phases - Nucleosynthesis beyond iron, r- and s-
processes -Evolutionary tracks in the H–R diagram of low mass and massive
stars -Novae and Supernovae -Compact stars - Equation of state and
degenerate gas offermions -White dwarf and Chandrasekhar limit -Neutron
Stars and Pulsars - Black Holes.

2. Telescopes: Principle of radio, optical and X-ray telescopes -Names of most

popular telescopes in different wave bands – TMT, Giant Meter Wave Radio
Telescope (GMRT) - Square Killometer Array (SKA), Astrosat.

3. Physics of Interstellar and Inter galactic medium.

4. Galaxies: Our Milky Way - Galactic structure - contents and dimensions –

Galactic rotation - Galaxy types - Galaxy formation – Classification - General
Properties - Optical, Radio and X-ray Galaxies - FR I and FR II radio galaxies.

5. Custer of Galaxies: General properties

Books Recommended:
1. BW Carroll & DA Ostlie, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Latest
Edition, Addison-Wesley.
2. Frank Shu, The Physical Universe, Latest Edition, University Science Books
3. Martin Harwit, Astrophysical Concepts, Latest Edition, Springer.
4. T. Padmanabhan, Invitation to Astrophysics, Latest Edition, World Scientific
Publishing Co.
5. T. Padmanabhan, Theoretical Astrophysics vols 1-3, Latest Edition,
Cambridge University Press.
6. Malcolm Longair, High Energy Astrophysics, vols 1-2, Latest Edition,
Cambridge University Press.
7. Sparke and Gallaghar, Galaxies in the Universe: An Introduction, Latest
Edition, Cambridge University Press.
8. Dina Prialnik: An Introduction to the Theory of Stellar Structure and
Evolution, Latest Edition, Cambridge University Press.

Course No: PHS 405 (c)

Cosmology and Astrophysics: Spl II
Marks: 50

1. With a small telescope, identify following objects

a) Moons of Mars, b) storm in Jupiter, c) rings and moons of Saturn, d)
Orion nebula, e) Andromeda galaxy,
2. Polar alignment of an optical telescope.
3. Detection and variation of solar radiation using two component radio
interferometer.
4. Study of solar flares on Very Low Frequency signals using a standard
transmitter signal.
5. Deflection of radio signal from Sun using a small radio antenna.
6. Variation of radio signal towards galactic plane using a small radio
antenna.