Observational Optical Astronomy
Ph 344 --- Spring 2002

This course provides an introduction to the tools and techniques of modern observational astronomy at optical wavelengths. 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 focus on learning to use the 0.5 m telescope and characterizing the charge-coupled diode imaging detectors employed in the camera and spectrograph. We will then observe the bright Galilean moons of Jupiter to determine the size and period of their orbits and the mass of Jupiter. Subsequent labs may include measuring the height of mountains on the Moon, finding the distance to and age of a star cluster, determining the temperature and density of electrons in a gaseous nebula, measuring the orbital velocity of the rings of Saturn, and producing a color image of a galaxy or nebula.

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 344. If you have enough physics background, it is possible to do well in Ph 344 without having taken Ph 341-342 (a few 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 flashlight for observing and a scientific calculator.

Because the weather is unpredictable, the observing facilities will be available 4 nights each week. Students must be prepared to carry out observations on an irregular schedule. The teaching staff for this course will be available during scheduled observational hours (regardless of weather) to provide assistance with any aspect of the course.

Information:

Semester Grades

Registration

Handouts

• Syllabus  (pdf) 

• Elementary Statistics of Measurement  (pdf)
  This page briefly describes how to estimate the mean, the scatter about the mean, and the uncertainty in the mean for a set of measurements of some quantity. We will use these concepts frequently in this course.

• Lab 1  (pdf)  Getting to Know the Sky (real and virtual)
  Due: Thursday, February 13, 2003 (observing for this lab is continuing during the week of Feb 9)
  
  • Figure 1  Though you are probably better off with the paper copies of the figures available in the classroom.
  • Figure 2
  • Figure 3
  • Lab 1 Observing Signup List.

• Lab 2  (pdf)  An Introduction to IDL and ATV
  Due: Thursday, February 13, 2003 (this lab is just one week long since no observing is involved)
  
  • Lab 1 and 2 Observing Signup List.

• Lab 3  (pdf)  Jupiter's Moons and Kepler's Laws
  Parts 1-6 Due: Thursday, March 6, 2003; The collection of data will continue through Monday, March 3. After that I will assign data to those without. I can assign data earlier if you send me email requesting this.
  • Lab 3 and 4 Observing Signup List. If the weather is clear, we will do Lab 3 and, if it is cloudy, we will do Lab 4.
  • Operating the Schommer Observatory Direct CCD System (pdf)

• Lab 4  (pdf)  Direct CCD Gain, Read Noise, and Linearity
  Due: Thursday, March 13, 2003; Though try to be finished with collecting data by March 6.
  • Lab 4 Observing Signup List.
  • Operating the Schommer Observatory Direct CCD System (pdf)

• Lab 3 Analysis  (pdf)  Jupiter's Moons and Kepler's Laws
  Parts 7-10 Due: Thursday, March 27, 2003
  • Note that neither I nor the TA will be present during the lab period on Sunday, March 23. One or the other of us will be available Monday - Wednesday if you have questions about this lab.

• Lab 5  (pdf)  This week we will continue to collect the imaging data for Labs 5 and 6 (this can be taken in one evening) on every clear night.
  
  • Lab 5 and 6 Observing Signup List.
• Lab 5a  (pdf)  Nebular Spectroscopic Analysis Continued
  Hardcopy versions of the lab with the figures are available in the classroom.
  Due: Thursday, April 10, 2003
• Lab 5b  (pdf)  Analysis of Images of the Great Nebula in Orion
  Due: Thursday, April 24, 2003

• Lab 6  (pdf)  Stellar Photometry and the Color-Magnitude Diagram
  Due: Thursday, May 1, 2003; Though, as described above, the imaging for this lab will be collected simulataneously with that for Lab 5.
  • Observing is finished for this lab. I will assign you data if you did not get some.
  • CCDPHOT documentation
• Lab 6 Analysis  (pdf)  Photometry of Praesepe and its Color-Magnitude Diagram, Age, and Distance
  Due: Thursday, May 1, 2003

Some Astronomical Websites

General

• Sky and Telescope Magazine Good sections on what's in the sky, astronomical news, comets, and asteroids.
• Astronomy Magazine Similar to Sky and Telescope, though I like the S&T better.
• AstroWeb: Astronomy/Astrophysics information on the Internet
• American Astronomical Society Home Page
• Astronomy Picture of the Day
• The Electronic Universe Discussions, pictures, and java applets on variety of astronomical topics. Presented by Dr. Darkmatter, aka Dr. Greg Bothun of the University of Oregon.

Observing the Sky

• This Week's Sky at a Glance. See the link under Observing on the left-hand side of the Sky and Telescope Magazine page.
• Sunrise/Sunset Times, moon phases, and other astronomical information from the US Naval Observatory.
• Satellites visible from the Schommer Observatory.
• Antonio Cidadão's Lunar and Planetary CCD Observations. A collection of very nice images and animations of objects in the sky (the stars, moon, planets, etc.), done by an amateur astronomer. Also has interesting discussions of taking astronomical images with web cameras and processing CCD images.

Local Weather

• Forecast from the NWS
• Newark Forecast from Intellicast. See the satellite and radar imagery.

Some Astronomical Observatories

• National Optical Astronomy Observatories The US national optical observatories.
• Hubble Space Telescope Electronic Information Service Many HST images and press releases.
• Chandra X-Ray Observatory
• Southern African Large Telescope Rutgers is a partner in this project, which will be the world's largest telescope.

CCD detectors

• Introduction to CCDs produced by the Isaac Newton Observatory. Nice, but takes a while to download. Needs Powerpoint.
• CCD University Discusses various aspects of CCDs and their data. Written by a company providing CCDs for amateur astronomers.
• Observational Mishaps Something strange in your CCD picture? Here is an extensive set of examples of what can go wrong when using a CCD. Both fun and instructional.
• About CCD detectors Web version of a talk given by Dr. Darkmatter. It will be hard for beginners to follow.

The Sun

• SOHO: The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory - a satellite dedicated to observing the sun. Many interesting pictures and movies of solar activity.
• Space Weather Bureau: describes the current level of solar activity and forecasts the aurorae (Northern lights) and other phenomena that this activity can cause on Earth. Also describes meteor showers.
• GONG: Global Oscillation Network Group - a group of six telescopes around the world that observe the Sun for the purpose of doing helioseismology.

Planets Around Other Stars

• Extrasolar Planets Encyclopedia
• PLANET homepage Searching for planets with gravitational microlensing.
• Searching for Extrasolar Planets Marcy and Butler search program.
• Stare program: a groundbased program searching for planetary transits.
• Planet Quest NASA/JPL site on searches for Earth-like planets.
• Terrestrial Planet Finder NASA concept for a spacecraft that could take spectra of terrestrial planets around other stars.

Black Holes and Neutron Stars

• Virtual Trips to Black Holes and Neutron Stars. This site has movies of the view near a black hole or a neutron star.

Created January 15, 2003