NUCLEAR ASTROPHYSICS

The course aims to provide students with a sufficiently broad picture of the combination and synergy of skills of two of the most fascinating fields of scientific research: Astrophysics and Nuclear Physics. After a discussion of peculiar aspects of the two research fields, experimental techniques and theoretical approaches, that have led to important results in Nuclear Astrophysics, will be presented.

The course also aims to enhance:

Knowledge and understanding.

Critical understanding of the most advanced experimental procedures and techniques in Nuclear Physics needed for applications in the stellar environments.

Remarkable expertise with the scientific method, understanding of nature, and of the research in Nuclear Astrophysics.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Ability to identify the essential elements of a phenomenon, also in terms of order of magnitude and level of approximation necessary, for applications in Astrophysics.

Ability to use analogy as a tool to apply known solutions to new problems (problem solving).

Ability to plan and apply experimental and theoretical procedures to new measurements, or to improve existing results.

Making judgements

Ability to convey own interpretations of physical phenomena, when discussing within a research team.

Communication skills.
Ability to discuss about advanced physical concepts, both in Italian and in English..

Learning skills.

Ability to acquire adequate tools for the continuous update of one's knowledge.

Ability to exploit databases and bibliographical and scientific resources to extract information and suggestions to better frame and develop one's study and research activity.

Ability to acquire, through individual study, knowledge in new scientific fields.

Lectures with application examples. Seminars of external experts.

Language: english

Should the circumstances require online or blended teaching, appropriate modifications to what is hereby stated may be introduced, in order to achieve the main objectives of the course.

- Intruduction to the Nuclear Astrophysics

- thermonuclear reactions

- reaction rates in stars

- measurements of cross sections at energies of astrophysical interest

- tecnique and experimental setups in Nuclear Astrophysics

1- Nuclear Physics of Stars, C. Iliadis, Wiley

2- Nuclear Astrophysics, C,Rolfs and W.S.Rodney- Cauldrons in the Cosmos,