Goals
This course aims at giving an overview on gravitational lensing and on its
wide phenomenology. We will start from the basics of the lensing theory,
discussing the deflection of light rays and defining some quantities which will
be necessary for the rest of the course.
Then, we will discuss lensing on different scales, starting from lensing of
point sources by point masses and ending with lensing by large-scale
structures on the most extended source on the sky: the
Cosmic-Microwave-Background.
The lectures will be held in English to allow students of the newly
established International Max Planck Research School on Astronomy and Cosmic
Physics to attend. This should also be a welcome opportunity for
German-speaking students to improve their command of English. Moreover, and
most relevant: I don't speak german!
This is an advanced course on astrophysics, which means that it requires some
familiarity with general astronomy and physics. The lecture addresses all
students who wish to learn about a subject which has been among the "hottest"
in the astrophysics of the last decade and intend to carry out diploma thesis
or Ph.D dissertation on lensing.
Time and
Location
The lectures will take place every Tuesday morning between 9:15 and 11:00 in
the seminar room number 1, in Albert-Ueberle Str. 3-5. The course will start
on April 25th and end on July 25th.
Subjects
- Basics of the lensing theory
- Introduction to lensing
|pdf|
|ps|
- General concepts
|pdf|
|ps|
- Lens models
|pdf|
|ps|
- Lensing by point masses in the Universe
|pdf|
|ps|
- Galactic microlensing
- Searches of planets
- Extragalactic microlenses
- Lensing by galaxies and galaxy clusters
|pdf|
|ps|
- Strong lensing
- Weak lensing
- Lensing by large-scale-structures
|pdf|
|ps|
- Light propagation through an inhomogenous universe
- Cosmic shear and lensing on the CMB
Complete lecture scripts (regularly updated):
|pdf|
|ps|
Last modified: 16/05/2006