Overview: This course provides an introduction to the tools and techniques of modern observational radio astronomy. More broadly, its goal is to provide experience in making measurements with (mostly) modern instrumentation and then quantitatively analyzing the resulting data. Significant emphasis will be placed on using computers for the reduction and analysis of observational data.
The first few labs will characterize and calibrate the new radio telescope.
Some of the questions that we need to answer are: how well does the telescope
point? what is the beamwidth? and how much noise does the receiver introduce
into the measurements? The Sun is the brightest source in the radio sky,
just as is the case in visible light. We will monitor the radio emission
from the Sun to see how it changes due to solar rotation and the changing
level of ``solar activity" (sunspots, flares, etc.). In the latter part
of the semester, we will use the 21-cm emission from neutral hydrogen to
explore our own Galaxy.
The course is designed to follow Ph 341-342,
Principles of Astrophysics, and will illustrate some of the concepts
covered there. Having taken Ph 341-342 or having the permission of the
instructor is a prerequisite for Ph 343. If you have enough physics
background, it is possible to do well in Ph 343 without having taken Ph
341-342 (several students do each year), but such students should be
prepared to do some additional reading to understand the astronomical
background of the observations performed here.
You should have a scientific calculator.
WWW page: http://www.physics.rutgers.edu/ugrad/343/ph343home.html
Text:
None is required. If you do not have a copy of the Ph 341-342 text,
you may wish to buy one: An Introduction to Modern
Astrophysics by B. W. Carroll and D. A. Ostlie, Addison-Wesley
Publishing Co., ISBN 0-201-54730-9.
Classes:
Lecture: Thursday 7 (6:10-7:30 PM)
Observing: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Location: 401 Serin Physics Lab, Busch Campus
Unlike optical observations, radio observations can be made through
clouds and during the daytime. Thus, most observations for this course
will be made at scheduled times during the day (particularly for observing
the Sun!). Some early evening observations may be made later in the
semester, depending on when certain objects are available in the sky.
Labs:
Labs will be assigned at regular intervals (every one - two weeks)
and written reports will be due by dates noted on the assignments.
Some observing projects may require repeated observations throughout
the semester.
Grades:
Your course grade will be based on your lab reports and
your participation in class and lab.
There will be no examinations in this course.
Office Hours:
In addition to the lab hours, I will generally be in my office 10 AM
-- 6 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and on some Mondays and
Fridays. Please call or e-mail first for an appointment.
Students with Disabilities:
If you have a disability, you are urged to
speak to me early in the semester to make the
necessary arrangements to support a successful learning experience.
Also, you must arrange for me to receive a letter
from your College's Disability Concerns Coordinator verifying that you
have a disability. A list of the College Coordinators can be found at
http://pass.rutgers.edu/PASS/progserv/cc.html.