Since the early nineteen nineties, modern space telescopes like COBE, Hubble, and Chandra started to observe the universe in unprecedented details covering all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum from radio to gamma-rays. As a result, astrophysics have started to play a more important role in the scheme of physics research than it did before. Many fundamental theories of physics are being constrained by astronomical observations, e.g., general relativity through black hole related observations as well as newly detected gravitational waves, nature of fundamental particles through the detection of dark matter annihilation signal and particle acceleration mechanisms through observations of astrophysical jets. Ongoing and near-future observations will extend this effort further, such as, detection of earth sized planets outside the solar system, and the nature of dark energy to name a few.
India is taking large strides in developing into a major player in astronomical research at the international level. In 2015, India has launched its first dedicated astronomy satellite named Astrosat which is monitoring the X-ray brightness variation of astronomical sources containing black holes. A new 3.6 m optical telescope has started operation at Devasthal near Nainital and a 21 m Cherenkov telescope at Hanle for gamma-ray detection is being commisioned. Multiple research institutes in India have joined large international projects, e.g., South African Large Telescope (SALT) which is currently one of the best optical imaging and spectroscopic facilities of the world; Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), which will be one of the most powerful telescope in the world; Square Kilometer Array (SKA), which will be the largest radio telescope array in the world, LIGO-India, etc. These will provide the Indian researchers with access to the cutting edge of astronomical data.
In this context, it is very important for an Indian Physics graduate to be introduced to the basic ideas of Astrophysics. That is the goal of this course.