General Information

The course covers methods in optical and radio astronomy and selected topics in astrophysics.

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

The course covers methods in optical and radio astronomy and selected topics in astrophysics.

  • 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 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.

Workload

Not too bad - 6 lab assignments and 2 more pset like assignments. Labs take a while like 10 hours a pop maybe. Also quizzes pretty often - maybe every 3 weeks. [Fall 2025]

General Advice

Testimonials

Some aspects of the course are a bit unclear and disorganized, but a good course on what is really involved in astro research! [Fall 2025]

Resources

Past Offerings

Semester Professor Median Grade Course Page
Fall 2025 Jim Cordes N/A N/A