F4190 Introduction to the physics of stellar systems

Faculty of Science
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
3/1/0. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Zdeněk Mikulášek, CSc. (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Jiří Krtička, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Jakub Vyskočil (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. Mgr. Jiří Krtička, Ph.D.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Zdeněk Mikulášek, CSc.
Supplier department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
Graduation of the course F3800 "An introduction to stellar physics" in the autumn term
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
Main objectives are understaning of the physics of variable stars, stellar systems (binaries, clusters, and galaxies), interstellar matter, and evolution of Universe.
Learning outcomes
A student will be able after the ending of the course to comprehend the physics of variable stars, stellar systems, galaxies, and the Universe.
Syllabus
  • Final stages of the stellar evolution.
  • Physics of binaries. The evolution of close binary stars.
  • Physics of variable stars. Types of variables, the causes of the variability.
  • Stellar clusters and associations.
  • The physics of interstellar matter.
  • The stars in the Galaxy. Galactic structure, dynamics, the origin, and evolution.
  • Stars and the Universe: The role of the stars in the Universe, its structure and evolution, and the first and last stars in the Universe.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • An introduction to modern astrophysics. Edited by Bradley W. Carroll - Dale A. Ostlie. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2007, 1 v. (vari. ISBN 978-0-321-44284-0. info
Teaching methods
3 hours of classical lectures, exercises, consultations, and oral exams.
Assessment methods
Attendance of the excercises is mandatory. A written test is mandatory before the oral exam. Students will be graded according to the oral exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2000, Spring 2002, Spring 2004, Spring 2006, Spring 2008, Spring 2010, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2014, Spring 2016, spring 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2022, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2026/F4190