Observing Techniques: Syllabus
Check also the details of the course,
especially for the prior knowledge assumed.
Topics Covered
- the electromagnetic spectrum, nomenclature and units,
non-electromagnetic detections
- observations of astronomical objects
and their connection with the electromagnetic spectrum
- luminous bodies
- gaseous emission
- absorption
- motions
telescopes - basic principles
- functions and limitations
- field of view
- aberrations
- active optics
- configurations
detectors
- eye
- bands
- logarithmic scale
- photography
- electronic detectors
Infrared observations
the atmosphere
- seeing, dispersion, background light
- airmass and absorption
- adaptive optics
- laser guide stars
- infrared
- the telescope in space
coordinate systems (powerpoint file)
astrometry
- proper motions
- plate transformations
- virtual observatories and catalogued data
getting used to units: distance, surface brightness,
the magnitude scale
photometry
- signal and noise
- flux measurements
- stellar magnitudes
- filters and photometric bands
- bolometric magnitudes
- colour images
- flat-fielding
spectroscopy -
principles - entrance slit, beam size
- types of spectrograph
- velocity systems
imaging
- general considerations
- critical cases (weak lensing)
analysis of the data - some exercises in computer lab
solar velocity experiment (see lab work)
remote observing
loose ends - clarification
Exercises
Not Covered
- radio astronomy
- interferometry