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 3323/PHYS 3327. Recommended prerequisite or instructors’ permission: ASTRO 3310 or ASTRO 3334.

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.