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Module Title
LI Observational Astronomy
School
Physics and Astronomy
Department
Physics & Astronomy
Module Code
03 29882
Module Lead
Dr Graham Smith
Level
Intermediate Level
Credits
10
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions
Some knowledge of astronomy at the level of LC Introduction to Astrophysics will be helpful, though not essential. Some additional reading will be recommended to students with no prior knowledge of Astronomy.
Our understanding of the universe and the galaxies, stars, and planets that inhabit it is built on astronomical observations, both from Earth and Space. This course teaches students about physics and practicalities of astronomical observations, by following the passage of light from distant objects through the atmosphere, through the optics of a telescope, detection in the focal plane of the telescope, and measurement of flux recorded by the detector. The course focuses on ground-based optical imaging and spectroscopy to build the core knowledge that then enables students both to understand observations at other wavelengths, and to support their project work in Astro Projects and Observatory Laboratory. The main differences between optical observing, and observing at Gamma-ray, X-ray, infrared, and radio wavelengths are explained and illustrated with examples.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module the student should be able to:
Describe the physical processes that affect the passage of astronomical radiation through Earth’s atmosphere, the physics of the collection of this radiation by a telescope, and the detection of the radiation by a modern detector.
Calculate from first principles the amount of ground-based optical observing time required to detect stars and galaxies of given brightness.
Understand how to plan and execute astronomical observations with a ground-based optical telescope, and the basic steps of data processing once the data have been obtained.
Explain the main similarities and differences between optical, infrared, gamma-ray, X-ray and radio observing techniques