ASTRO 4410 - Experimental Astronomy

(PBS-AS)

Fall. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS 2214/PHYS 2218 or PHYS 3310 or PHYS 3360, PHYS 3327. Recommended prerequisite or instructors’ permission: ASTRO 3310 or ASTRO 3334. Preference will be given to Astronomy majors and Physics majors with an Astro minor.

J. Cordes, J. Lloyd.

The course covers methods in optical and radio astronomy and selected topics in astrophysics. Major experiments use techniques chosen from charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging, optical photometry, optical spectroscopy, radiometry and radio spectroscopy. Observations use the Hartung-Boothroyd Observatory’s 24-inch telescope and a 3.8-meter radio telescope on the roof of the Space Sciences Building. The course covers the fundamentals of astronomical instrumentation and data analysis applied to a wide range of celestial phenomena: asteroids, main-sequence stars, supernova remnants, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, the interstellar medium, OH masers, and galaxies. Methods include statistical data analysis, artifact and interference excision, Fourier transforms, heterodyned receivers, and software-defined radio.