Nuclear Astrophysics

The lecture starts with a voyage through the universe. After the treatment of the solar system, larger structures like galaxies and galaxy clusters are introduced. More exotic objects like pulsars or black holes will also be discussed.

After the basic objects of the universe have been presented, the next section covers some basics in nuclear physics. We confine ourselves to the basic types of interactions (the different types of nuclear reactions) and to the possible modes of decay (particle emission, decay). Along with the shell model of the atomic nucleus, the definition of the Gamow factor and of the astrophysical s-factor are particularly important.

Based on these concepts, we will reconstruct the nucleosynthesis of the big bang (particularly the mass limit at A=7 and the first indications to dark matter) and discuss the various phases in the evolution of stars. We will focus on the explosive nucleosynthesis at the end of stellar evolution. The nucleosynthesis ends with the production of Li, Be, B in the galactic cosmic particle radiation (CGR).

The lecture ends with a discussion of open questions like the first formation of structures or indications of hot and cold dark matter.