F9888 High Energy Astrophysics

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. Mgr. Norbert Werner, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Marianna Dafčíková (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. Mgr. Norbert Werner, Ph.D.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Supplier department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Wed 10:00–11:50 Fs1 6/1017
Prerequisites
Special theory of relativity. Electrodynamics.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Abstract
A survey of the hottest and most energetic objects in the Universe and their radiation. Topics include: techniques of X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy; observations of neutron stars (pulsars) and black holes; accretion disks and relativistic jets; supernovae, supernova remnants, gamma-ray bursts, quasars and active galactic nuclei; clusters of galaxies; cosmic rays, neutrinos and gravitational waves
Learning outcomes
Students obtain a general overview of the field of observational high-energy astrophysics, including instrumentation, observational techniques. In particular, we the fields of supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, compact object, and clusters of galaxies are covered.
Key topics
  • 1. Introduction: What is high-energy astrophysics? A brief history of high-energy (X-ray & Gamma-ray) astronomy; telescopes and detectors for high-energy astrophysics
  • 2. Radiation processes and gas processes
  • 3. Supernovae: core collapse and type Ia supernovae and supernova remnants
  • 4. Neutron stars: neutron star structure, pulsars, magnetars, millisecond pulsars
  • 5. Black holes and accretion disks
  • 6. Compact binary systems: low mass and high mass X-ray binaries, X-ray bursts
  • 7. Gamma-ray bursts
  • 8. Active galactic nuclei
  • 9. Strong gravity, rotating black holes, jets, and superluminal motion
  • 10. Hot plasma in galaxy clusters
  • 11. Cosmic rays and high energy neutrinos
  • 12. Gravitational waves
Study resources and literature
    recommended literature
  • ROSSWOG, Stephan and Marcus BRÜGGEN. Introduction to high-energy astrophysics. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007, x, 355. ISBN 9780521857697. info
  • LONGAIR, M. S. High energy astrophysics. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992, xvii, 418. ISBN 0521387736. info
    not specified
  • Additional reading material will be distributed in class and/or on the course web page.
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
Lectures, project.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
Oral examination. Project presentation.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught once in two years.
General note: S.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2016, autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Spring 2020, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2026/F9888