Theoretical Astrophysics

Understanding astronomical objects requires knowledge and methods from different branches of theoretical physics: we diagnose these objects mostly by the light we receive; the observed phenomena often have to do with the flow of fluids, sometimes ionised, sometimes magnetised; and the measured velocities reflect dynamics driven by gravitational fields. Courses in theoretical physics lay the foundation in classical and quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, and thermodynamics, but a gap remains between this foundation and its application to astrophysics. These lecture notes build upon the core courses in theoretical physics and provides the methods for understanding astrophysics theoretically.

Matthias Bartelmann is professor for theoretical astrophysics at Heidelberg University. He mostly addresses cosmological questions, concerning in particular the formation and evolution of cosmic structures.