Syllabus |
Instructor: Wayne Springer
226 INSCC
Phone: 585-1390
e-mail:
springer@physics.utah.edu
office hours: Tuesday
Lab TA: Paul Ricketts
e-mail: radioman99@hotmail.com
Lecture Times:
Lecture Location: JFB 102 (James Fletcher Building)
Scheduled Lab Times:
Computer Lab Location: 205 South Physics
Observatory Lab Location: 411 South Physics
· To be able to find and identify a sufficient number of celestial objects to be able to align a telescope.
· To become proficient in the use of telescopes.
· To become proficient in the use of CCD cameras and image processing.
· To become familiar with some basic techniques in the analysis of astronomical data.
· To become familiar with the fundamental types of astrophysical objects.
· To become familiar with some of the fundamental physical laws that govern the Universe...
· To have fun....
Two sections of up to 15 people each will be formed for observatory access. When weather permits, one group will have access to the observatory while the other group will work on computer based exercises in the South Physics computer lab. The two groups will alternate in such a way that each group will have access to the observatory on an equal number of clear nights. This means that the schedule for observatory access for a given group will not be scheduled for a particular night of the week. On cloudy nights, both groups will work on computer based exercises or image processing. There will be additional observing sessions scheduled later in the semester. It should also be noted that class start times will start following sunset later in the semester.
Description:
This course will serve as an introduction to the tools and techniques used in optical and radio astronomy. Using the facilities at the University of Utah Observatory , we will explore the cosmos and study the Sun, planets, asteroids, stars and galaxies. Measurements of basic properties of astronomical objects will be performed. Quantitative analysis of these measurements will enable us to determine such things as the mass of jupiter as well as the ages of stars. The course will cover the following topics:
· Basic Observational Techniques
o Finding astronomical objects.
o Imaging astronomical objects with a CCD camera.
o Filters and Photometry.
o Design and use of spectrographs.
o Atmospheric effects and limitations.
o Basic Concepts of Radio Astronomy
· Analysis of Astrophysical Measurements
o Image Processing
o Acquisition and analysis of spectra from astrophysical sources
o Analysis of photometric observations
o Measurements of astrophysical quantities using simulated observations
Observing projects will be an integral component of the course. The facilities available include a 10 foot diameter Radio Telescope, one 14" Optical telescope, one 12" , one 11” and four 10" optical telescopes.Each of the optical telescopes will be equipped with a CCD camera. An SBIG self-guiding spectrograph capable of identifying objects such as quasars is also available . Computer equipment is available to store and analyze the images obtained from each telescope. The observing projects may include, planetary satellite orbits, asteroid photometry, Cepheid variable stars, gaseous nebulae, galactic rotation, color-magnitude diagrams for star clusters. Prerequisites: Algebra. Familiarity with computers. A background in physics would be useful. However an enthusiatic backyard astronomer without these prerequisites would be welcome.
Reading Material:
Most, if not all, of the required reading material for this course will be provided in PDF files on our class web site.
Textbook: None Required
Class Web Site: http://www.physics.utah.edu/~springer/phys4060/index.html
Selected Reading Material: http://www.physics.utah.edu/~springer/phys4060/readings
Manuals: http://www.physics.utah.edu/~springer/phys4060/manuals
Additional Recommended Texts (some will be on reserve in the library)
· Basic Astronomy Labs, J.S. Huebner M.D. Reynolds and T.L. Smith Prentice Hall, 1996. ISBN 0-13-376336-6
· Voyages Through the Universe, Fraknoi, Morrison and Wolff, Saunders College Publishing 2000. ISBN 0-03-0259835
· Astronomy A Self-Teaching Guide, Dinah L. Moche, Wiley. 2000 ISBN 0-471-38353-8
This course will provide you with "hands-on" experience using astronomical tools. There will be several lab sessions intended to familiarize you with the operation of optical and radio telescope hardware, software and their accessories. The TA and/or the instructor will evaluate your proficiency in the use of the equipment by having you perform demonstrations of the usage of the various pieces of equipment. There will be in-class laboratory exercises using various software tools to simulate astronomical data. You will perform exercises in the analysis of these data sets. Brief reports will be required and graded for these laboratory exercises. In addition to the laboratory sessions and exercises there will also be reading assignments/homework, quizzes and a final exam. Homework assignments WILL NOT be collected or graded. The main purpose of the homework assignments will be to help you prepare for quizzes as well as the final exam. A comprehensive final exam will also be given. The TENTATIVE grading scheme is as follows:
Activity |
2060 |
4060 |
| Class Exercises | 40% |
25% |
| Observing Exercises | 30% |
20%
|
| Written Reports | 0% |
25% |
| Midterm Exam | 10%
|
10% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
20% |
|
Event |
Date |
|
Last day to drop (delete) class: |
Wednesday January 21 |
|
Last day to withdraw from class : |
Friday March 6 |
|
Midterm Exam |
To be scheduled |
|
Spring Break |
March 16 - March 21 |
|
Classes End |
Wednesday April 29 |
|
Final Exam: |
Tuesday May 5
|
Click here to see University Spring 2009 Academic Calendar
A review of basic astronomy and astrophysics as well as some optics will be presented. A catalog of astrophysical objects will be presented and described. Since a large component of this course in observational astronomy will be devoted to analyzing starlight, material relevant to the relevant physics will be presented. An in-depth discussion of the theory of stars and stellar evolution will also be presented. Particular emphasis will be placed on the basic physics involved in interpreting observational data to develop an understanding of astrophysical objects. It is highly recommended for those students who have not attended a basic astronomy course to acquire and study a textbook in basic astronomy.
· Star Charting/Telescope Control Software
o Starry Night
o The Sky
o
· Image Acquisition/Processing
o CCDOPS
o CCDSOFT
o MaxIm DL
o AIP4WIN
o
· Astronomical Simulation and Data Analysis Packages
o Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy (CLEA)
The following projects will involve actual observations performed by you using the department's observatory equipment. Some of these exercises will also require written reports to be submitted for grades.
There will be several laboratory sessions intended to familiarize you with the use of the hardware associated with the course. These sessions will be in the form of demonstrations and "hands-on" workshops to enable you to learn how to use the equipment. Examples of such sessions would be a "workshop" on how to set up and align a telescope or how to acquire an image using a CCD camera. Additionally this course uses several different software packages for navigating the night sky, controlling telescopes and the acquisition and processing of CCD images. A list of software used in this course has been provided above. Several laboratory sessions will be devoted to learning how to use some of these software packages.
Additionally we will be using software to perform laboratory exercises where data will be analyzed and measurements performed. Typically in these exercises we will use software to simulate astronomical data. This data will then be analyzed to determine some properties of astrophysical objects. You will be expected to write a brief report describing the "observations" that you made using the simulation software as well as describe the analysis that you performed using this simulated data. The following is a list of laboratory exercises that we may/will be performing during the semester
13. Radio Astronomy of Pulsars(CLEA)
Written Reports
A written report is to be prepared for some of the laboratory exercises or projects performed. A standard outline for an experimental report is the following :
It is imperative that the report is LEGIBLE. Typewritten reports are more likely to meet this requirement than
handwritten reports. However, it is not necessary to spend inordinate
amounts of time assuring that the report is aesthetically perfect. Hand drawn figures pasted into the report is acceptable.