AST 443 / PHY 517 : Observational Techniques

Instructor: Professor F.M. Walter (632-8232; frederick.walter_at_stonybrook.edu)

The class is scheduled to meet Mondays and Wednesdays 4-6:50 PM, in Physics P118.

Undergraduate Prerequisites: AST 203; PHY 277; WRT 102

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Astronomers explore the universe by detecting and analyzing photons with energies ranging from about 51 Joules to 10^-9eV, or a range of about 30 orders of magnitude. One needs very different techniques over this range. We concentrate on techniques for detection of photons from gamma-ray energies (up to a few GeV) to the radio.

This is partly a lecture course, but mostly a laboratory course. Grades will be based on a combination of homework and projects.

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Topics covered:

• Basics of observational astronomy: spherical trigonometry, coordinates, time
• Simple Optics
• Photon Detectors, concentrating on Charge Coupled Devices
• Statistics for data analysis
• Astronomical imaging
• Techniques of photometry
• Techniques of spectroscopy
• Techniques of astrometry
• UV-optical astronomy
• X-ray/gamma ray astronomy
• sub-mm and radio astronomy
• Astronomical data archives
• Current and Planned Observatories

• General Information
• Current Syllabus and links to the course notes.
• Brief Description of the projects
• Learning Outcomes and Objectives
• Homework Assignments (and solutions)
• Important dates
• Notes on Computing, UNIX and IDL
• Telescope Status