ASTR 300: Observational Astronomy CRN 84738 Course Syllabus Fall 2019

Watanabe 114 26 August – 16 December, 2019 Mon, Wed, Fri @ 2:30 - 3:20pm Final Exam: 2:15 - 4:15 p.m., Monday 16 December Credits: 3

Instructor: Eugene Magnier Prerequisites: Email: m [email protected] ASTR 210 or ASTR 242 Office: W atanabe 423 PHYS 152 or PHYS 274 Hours: after class on request MATH 216 or MATH 242 or MATH 252A

Miles Lucas (m [email protected]) will be the class TA. In addition, the general Astronomy TA pool staffs Watanabe room 403. Any of the graduate student TAs will be able to provide assistance with this course.

Materials ● Text : T o Measure the Sky b y Frederick R. Chromey ● Class website: h ttps://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal/site/MAN.84738.202010 [laulima, requires UH login]

Course Description Astronomy 300 introduces principles and techniques of optical and near-infrared astronomical observation with an emphasis on the process of measurement. In this course, the student will learn about the tools used to observe the sky and the techniques of measuring key properties of astronomical objects. This course will introduce the jargon needed to understand the literature of observational astronomy. This course is designed to be complementary to and taken concurrently with ASTR 300L.

Topics ● Poisson & Gaussian statistics ● Error propagation ● Basic Optics ● Features of Optical Telescopes ● Astronomical Coordinates and Time ● Optical and near-IR Detectors ● Basic Spectroscopy ● Astronomical Images ● Photometry and Astrometry

Program Learning Objectives This course will help the student meet the Program Learning Objectives in the following ways: Reinforce understanding of the laws of physics, the nature of astronomical objects, and the scientific method; Introduce observational properties of astronomical objects, observing methods, and data reduction.

Evaluation and Grading ● 9 problem sets: 1-7 are given weekly, due the next week. The last 2 problem sets are larger projects. ● 2 Midterm exams + Final exam ● Final Grade : 30% problem sets, 30% Midterms, 30% Final Exam, 10% class-questions ○ No Passing Grade without taking the final exam ● Traditional ABCDF scale based on Gaussian curve (mean = B)

Notes

● Problem sets are due at the beginning of class and are usually reviewed at the start of the same class. ● No credit for late problem sets; if you cannot attend class, please email problem set b efore class time. ● There will be n o calculators f or midterms and final exam. ● Daily class questions will be used to encourage attendance and attention (bottom 2 dropped). ● Always show your work for partial credit. Course Schedule

Week of... Topic Details

Aug 26 Statistics Measurement errors; Gaussian & Poisson statistics;

Sep 02 Optics Error propagation, Convex & concave lenses; H oliday : Sep 2

Sep 09 Detectors Thin lens approximation; a simple telescope, detector concepts

Sep 16 Spectroscopy CCDs in detail; Image analysis

Sep 23 Spectroscopy Dispersive optical elements; resolution; emission sources

Sep 30 Spectroscopy Basic spectrograph layout; 1D spectra; redshift M idterm Exam #1 : Oct 4

Oct 07 Context Science Guest Lecture, Astronomy in Hawaii

Oct 14 Images Stars in images (focus, seeing, diffraction); Detecting stars

Oct 21 Photometry Magnitudes & fluxes; photometric calibration; colors; HR diagram

Oct 28 Astrometry Coordinate systems; equatorial coordinates & time Midterm Exam #2 : Nov 1

Nov 04 Astrometry Astrometric calibration; projections

Nov 11 Telescopes Telescope designs; aberrations; seeing & image quality H oliday : Nov 11

Nov 18 Radio Fourier transform; frequency domain; radio telescopes

Nov 25 X-ray & Other High-Res Spectra; X-ray Telescopes H oliday : Nov 29

Dec 02 Review week

Dec 09 Review week Last Class : Dec 11

Dec 16 Exam Week Final Exam : Dec 16 @ 2:15 - 4:15pm.