18902 Computational Astrophysics
Course Webpage: https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/PHYS361
Course Content
Probabilistic (Monte Carlo) simulations: examples with emphasis on modeling photon random walks inside a star. Fitting complex models to data (e.g., spectra): introduction to advanced probabilistic methods (calculations using Bayes’ theorem and Metropolis algorithms) and comparison with least‑squares methods. N‑body simulations: introduction to gravitational many‑body simulations through the development of an object‑oriented programming code. N‑body simulation of the evolution of an isolated spherical galaxy and of galaxy collisions. Construction of self‑consistent models for describing spherical galaxies and dark‑matter halos (e.g., Hernquist profiles). Probabilistic matching of galaxies to halos (in cosmological simulations). Introduction to hydrodynamical simulations and/or radiative‑transfer simulations.
