This course introduces the students to the contents of the universe and the physical processes that occur in them. It describes how, starting from the big bang, the universe expanded to its present size, what forces it experienced, the nature of dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies, stars and planets formed, the origin and properties of compact objects such as neutron stars and black holes and the predicted future course of evolution of the universe. The prime role of the General Theory of Relativity in many of these processes is highlighted.
Desirable preparation: Physical science at the std XI-XII level, FCs on QRMT and PoS.
Level : 2000
Recommended Reading:
1. The Physical Universe, Frank H. Shu, University Science Books
2. An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, B.W. Carroll and D.A. Ostlie, Cambridge University Press
3. Astrophysical Concepts, M. Harwit, Springer
4. An Invitation to Astrophysics, T. Padmanabhan, World Scientific
