STELLAR & GALACTIC ASTROPHYSICS

PH30057
Example Sheet 2 (Galactic)
Dr Gary Mathlin

1. Write a brief account of the different methods of measuring the distances to stars
in the Milky Way Galaxy. Make clear where the different methodologies are most
appropriate.

2. A certain star is observed to have a proper motion of 3.45 arc seconds per year. It
has an apparent magnitude of 9.75 and spectral analysis suggests that it is a main
sequence star with the same surface temperature as the Sun. The calcium K line
(rest wavelength 3933.68 ) appears in the stars spectrum at 3933.36

a. Write down what you understand by the term proper motion.

b. Calculate the tangential speed of the star.
c. Calculate the space velocity of the star.

3. To describe the spatial distribution of stars in our galaxy it is necessary to specify

a frame of reference. Discuss possible frames that may be used in this context.

4. Stars with a galactic longitude l = 45o are observed to have a radial velocity vr of
+30 km s-1. Given that the Sun lies at 8.5 kpc from the centre of the galaxy:

a. What is the distance from the centre of the Galaxy to these stars.
b. What is the distance from the Sun to these stars.
(Hint, you will need Oorts constants from your notes to complete this
question.)

5. Write a brief account outlining the relative spatial distributions of the various
morphological types of galaxy making reference to Hubbles tuning fork diagram.
Your answer should include a plausibility argument which explains the observed
distributions.

6. How is a spiral galaxys luminosity related to its rotational velocity. What

assumptions are made in deriving this relationship. What is the expected empirical
relationship between maximum rotational velocity and apparent magnitude for a
sample of galaxies all at the same distance?