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Outline:

This moduleÌý is conducted at the Department of Physics and Astronomy's observatory in Mill Hill, NW London - the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Observatory (¹û¶³Ó°ÔºO). Instruction is given in the use of telescopes and CCD cameras, used by students to observe on clear evenings, and in robotic mode during clear weather out-of-class hours. There are set experiments which make use of prepared materials, designed to demonstrate important concepts in astrophysics, complementing the material taught in lecture modulesÌý at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº, and introducing students to techniques of measurement used in astrophysics.

Aims:

• Introduce the student to contemporary methods in observational astrophysics;
• Develop an understanding of astronomical coordinate systems and time, in order that the student can plan a programme of observations effectively;
• Introduce the use of astronomical telescopes and detectors;
• Give students first-hand experience of using telescopes at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôºâ€™s observatory (¹û¶³Ó°ÔºO) to observing a variety of astronomical objects (e.g., Sun, Moon, planets, comets, asteroids, nebulae, and galaxies) dependent on weather and opportunity;
• Give students experience of accessing a robotic telescope system to acquire digital images remotely from ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºO;
• Teach the principles of the CCD as an astronomical detector, and how to acquire astronomical images with the ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºO telescope systems;
• Develop an appreciation of the range and application of astronomical data available in printed and on-line sources, and experience of software tools to visualise and explore those data;
• Develop the student’s ability to make scientific measurements of a sample of astronomical image and spectroscopic data, and to evaluate and analyse the results;
• Develop expertise in the application of basic statistics in experimental science;
• Develop the student’s ability to write a formal scientific report.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate a working knowledge of astronomical coordinate systems and time, and determine which part of the sky may be observed on any given date/time from a given location;
• collect information for planning the observation of astronomical objects, using on-line or printed astronomical databases;
• use the Fry and Celestron telescopes at ¹û¶³Ó°ÔºO to locate astronomical objects, and make observations;
• construct an accurate record of observations, including the date, time and conditions under which they were made;
• plan and submit requests for astronomical image data to the C14 robotic-telescope interface, making an appropriate choice of exposure times and filters;
• use a CCD camera to obtain images of astronomical objects;
• apply systematic corrections to CCD image data (bias, dark, and flat-field correction) to render the images useful for scientific measurement;
• use appropriate software to inspect, interpret, and measure astronomical image data;
• make photometric measurements of the brightness of stars in CCD image data, and be able to calibrate against stars of known brightness;
• apply basic statistics, including estimating experimental uncertainties and their propagation in calculations;
• produce a formal scientific report based on the measurement and analysis of astronomical data.

Teaching and Learning Methodology:

The module is normally undertaken at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôºâ€™s Observatory (¹û¶³Ó°ÔºO) in Mill Hill, NW London, and involves practical observing sessions under the tutelage of the module leader and demonstrators, and includes telescope training, analysis and interpretation of prepared materials and set experiments, and report writing.

Indicative Topics:

• The celestial sphere: basic concepts and definitions.
• Astronomical coordinate systems: equatorial (Right Ascension, Declination), horizon (altitude, azimuth)
• Time: Universal Time, sidereal time, transformation from RA to hour angle
• Telescope systems: basic telescope optics; focal length; image scale; resolution
• The CCD as an astronomical detector: characteristics, image systematics; determination of field of view
• CCD image reduction and processing (bias, dark, and flat correction).
• Telescope operations: Fry 8-inch refractor; Celestron 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain.
• Photometry in astrophysics: the magnitude scale, absolute magnitude; photometric systems and filters
• Filters for CCD imaging: broad-band filters, narrow-band filters
• Robotic telescope observing: target selection, exposure-time estimation, data inspection, and image analysis.
• Photometry of a variable source (e.g., construction of a supernova light curve).
• Classification and measurement of stellar spectra.
• Observational tasks: visual observation of the Sun, Moon, planets; CCD imaging of asteroids, comets, nebulae, galaxies.