Nuclear Relativistic Astrophysics 1

The course introduces the students to the principles of stellar physics, both at the microscopic and macroscopic levels. The topics cover the thermodinamical properties of stellar matter, the equilibrium and stability of self-gravitating objects, the production and transport of energy in stars. In this module, the general theory is applied to the the behaviour of classical stars.

At the end of the course, the student should know the following topics:
· Equation of state of matter at the different temperatures and densities found in stars
· Gravitational virial theorem and its application to stellar equilibrium and evolution
· Theory of politropes and Eddington's standard model
· Thermonuclear reaction in the various evolutionary phases
· Energy transport (conduction, convection and radiative transport)
· Random walk and diffusion applied to stellar atmospheres (Eddington's atmosphere, color temperature)
· Equations of stellar structure and theory of principal sequence (homology)