OBSERVATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS

The first part is dedicated to instrumental techniques and observational aspects in photometry. One of the application is the instrumental and reddening corrections of the data. Then the interpretation of the near infrared color-magnitude and color-color diagrams of young stellar populations. The second part of the course is dedicated to the physical properties of the planets and to some basic concepts on the study of the extrasolar planets. The third part is a detailed analysis of emissions connected to the galactic interstellar medium evolution.
1) Basic concepts in astrophysics: magnitudes, distance modulus, metallicity indices. Distance measurements.
2) Signal-to-noise ratio of the observational data. Calibrations.
3) Interstellar reddening effects on the photometry.
4) Young stellar populations. HR diagrams and two color infrared diagrams.
5) General properties of the planets in the Solar System.
6) Atmosphere of the planets. Gas escape mechanisms.
7) Effective temperatures of the planets and greenhouse effect.
8) Origin and evolution of the Solar System. Urey and Lewis theory. Age of the Solar System. Formation of the Earth.
9) General characteristics of the planet Mars. Comparison with the Earth.
10) Basic principles of the extrasolar planets detection techniques.
11) The gas in the Galaxy. HI 21 cm line.
12) Supernovae remnants and basics of evolutionary models.
13) Stellar and interstellar maser sources.