PHYS/ASTR 2060 Popular Observational Astronomy(3) Syllabus Instructor: Prof. Wayne Springer (wayne.springer@utah.edu) Office: 226 INSCC (Office Hours: T 3PM-5PM or by appt.) Phone: 801-585-1390 TA: Jinqi Wang (jinqi.wang@utah.edu) Lecture/ ComputerLab: PHYS 205 Tuesday,Thursday 7:15PM-9:00PM (additional observing time as necessary) Observatory: Located on roof of South Physics Building (801-585-7223) Textbook: None required. Class web site: http://www.physics.utah.edu/~springer/phys4060/ Prerequisites: Elementary Algebra, PHYS 1060 or 1070 Brief 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. Course Objectives: Develop ability to find and identify celestial objects. Develop proficiency in the use of telescopes. Develop proficiency in the use of CCD cameras and image processing. Develop familiarity with some basic techniques in the analysis of astronomical data. Develop familiarity with the fundamental types of astrophysical objects. Develop familiarity with some of the fundamental physical laws that govern the Universe... To have fun...
Detailed Description: This course will serve as an introduction to the tools and techniques used in optical astronomy. 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. Measurements of basic properties of astronomical objects will be performed. Quantitative analysis of these measurements will enable us to determine quantities such as the mass of Jupiter as well as the ages of stars. The course will cover the following topics: Basic Observational Techniques Finding astronomical objects. Imaging astronomical objects with a CCD camera. Filters and Photometry. Design and use of spectrographs. Atmospheric effects and limitations. Basic Concepts of Radio Astronomy (Time and equipment permitting) Analysis of Astrophysical Measurements Image Processing Acquisition and analysis of spectra from astrophysical sources Analysis of photometric observations Measurements of astrophysical quantities using simulated observations Observing projects will be an integral component of the course. The facilities available include 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, 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 enthusiastic backyard astronomer without these prerequisites would be welcome in the 2060 level.
Reading Material: All of the required reading material for this course will be provided in PDF files on our class web site. Lectures: 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. Observing Projects: The following projects will involve actual observations performed by you using the department's observatory equipment. Basic Setup and Usage of a Computer Controlled Telescope. Basic Setup and usage of CCD Cameras. Flat-Field and other Techniques to improve CCD Imaging. Color Imaging. Solar Observations (Carefully). Lunar Observations. Planetary Observations. Observations of Planetary Satellites. Deep Sky Imaging: Galaxies Deep Sky Imaging: Nebulae Deep Sky Imaging: Globular Clusters *Basic Usage of Spectrographs. *Measurement of Stellar Color Index with UVBRI filter sets. *Observing the Sun at Radio Wavelengths. *Observing the Milky Way at Radio Wavelengths. *Use of 32 telescope located at Frisco Peak. *Denotes possible additional observing activities depending on availability of additional resources.
Computer Laboratory Exercises: 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 Familiarization with the Sky. (Starry Night Pro) The Revolution of the Moons of Jupiter. (CLEA) Radar Measurements of the Rotation Rate of Mercury. (CLEA) The Flow of Energy out of the Sun. (CLEA) Photoelectric Photometry of the Pleiades. (CLEA) Classification of Stellar Spectra. (CLEA) The Hubble Redshift Distance Relation. (CLEA) The Large Scale Structure of the Universe. (CLEA) Radio Astronomy of Pulsars(CLEA) Others Schedule: On cloudy nights, we 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. Class times may extend beyond 9PM for observing sessions. Solar observing sessions that will occur later in the semester will start earlier in the day at least one hour prior to sunset.
Tentative Course Requirements and Grades. 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: Important Dates: Activity Tentative Weight Class Exercises 40% Observing Exercises 30% Midterm Exam 10% Final Exam 20% Event Date Last day to drop (delete) class: Wednesday August 31 Last day to withdraw from class: Friday October 21 Midterm Exam To be scheduled Fall Break October 10-15 Classes End Friday December 9 Final Exam: Tuesday December 13 8:30-10:30 PM (PHYS 205) http://www.sa.utah.edu/regist/calendar/datesdeadlines/fall2011.htm Student Rights and Responsibilities: Students should familiarize themselves with University policy concerning student rights and responsibilities found in the student handbook available at the following University web sites: http://www.sa.utah.edu/regist/handbook/studenthandbook.htm. http://www.regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-400.html
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