What you will study
The module comprises four elements which interlink to provide the astrophysical foundations of the discipline and examples of how astrophysical research advances.
Two self-contained texts provide a quantitative account of the physics of stars and exoplanets and the astronomical techniques used to study them.
The text Stars investigates the properties of stars at different stages of evolution – how they form, what happens to them as they age, and what becomes of them when they die. You’ll explore physical processes that sustain stars’ energy output during each stage of evolution and drive the progression from one stage to the next, as well as the relationship between stages of stellar evolution and the production of chemical elements. In addition, you’ll develop your understanding of the basic concepts of hydrodynamics, thermodynamics, plasma physics, quantum physics and nuclear physics.
Exoplanet research saw rapid advances over the last decade, demonstrating that planets around stars other than the Sun are ubiquitous and diverse. Exoplanets explores the photometric and spectroscopic methods used in exoplanet detection and how the physical properties of star/planet systems are derived. The text concludes with an account of how the growing population of planets with known parameters informs our understanding of planet formation.
Alongside studying the two texts, you’ll engage with an observational astronomy project on transiting exoplanets. You’ll have observing time on the OpenScience Observatories’ Tenerife facilities and schedule observations of an exoplanet transit. You’ll obtain transit light curves and analyse the exoplanet’s characteristics.
The module concludes with three case studies that relate to more recent research findings in stellar and exoplanetary astrophysics, conveyed through a series of activities that use standard professional astronomy tools.
You will learn
You’ll build on your mathematical, physics and astronomy knowledge to further develop your understanding of fundamental concepts in physics and astronomy in the specific context of stars and exoplanets.
Vocational relevance
You’ll develop the key skills of quantitative problem-solving and processing, interpreting and presenting data to investigate and support arguments and ideas in astrophysics. You’ll also further develop group working skills.
Entry
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need an appropriate knowledge of mathematics and physics obtained through:
- OU level 1 and 2 study
- equivalent work at another higher education institution.
Are you ready for S384?
Preparatory work
We recommend you’ve completed:
Plus:
The S384 textbooks summarise assumed prior knowledge of astrophysical concepts and facts from OU level 2 modules. You should engage with this material before the module starts.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
Throughout your module studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:
- Marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
- Guiding you to additional learning resources.
- Providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
- Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.
Module tutors also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available to students. While these tutorials won’t be compulsory for you to complete the module, you’re strongly encouraged to take part.
Assessment
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.