General Information

The course covers methods in optical and radio astronomy and selected topics in astrophysics. Major experiments use techniques chosen from charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging, optical photometry, optical spectroscopy, radiometry and radio spectroscopy. Observations use the Hartung-Boothroyd Observatory’s 24-inch telescope and a 3.8-meter radio telescope on the roof of the Space Sciences Building. Course page can be found here.

Prerequisites

Priority given to Astro majors or Physics majors with Astro minors PHYS 2214 or PHYS 2218, PHYS 3310 or PHYS 3360, PHYS 3327, or permission from instructor Recommended prerequisite: ASTRO 3310 or ASTRO 3334

Topics Covered

  • Astronomical instrumentation and data analysis applied to the following:
    • Asteroids
    • Main-sequence stars
    • Supernova remnants
    • Globular clusters
    • Planetary nebulae
    • Interstellar medium
    • OH masers
    • Galaxies
  • Statistical data analysis
  • Artifact and interference excision
  • Fourier transfrms
  • Heterodyned receivers

  • Software-defined radio

  • Techniques: charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging, optical photometry, optical spectroscopy, radiometry and radio spectroscopy
  • Fundamentals of astronomical instrumentation and data analysis applied to a wide range of celestial phenomena: asteroids, main-sequence stars, supernova remnants, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, the interstellar medium, OH masers, and galaxies
  • Methods: statistical data analysis, artifact, and interference excision, Fourier transforms, heterodyned receivers, and software-defined radio

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