Observational Astrophysics I (1FA203-V21), 5 points (hp)

Start date: March 23th, 2021 in virtual space!

Teachers: Nikolai Piskunov and Oleg Kochukhov, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

Goals: Understand how modern telescopes, astronomical instrumentation and detector work. Learn about observing techniques and methods, data reduction and future developments.

Structure: The course consists of 2 parts: General information about telescopes, telescope optics and mechanics and Observational techniques and data reduction. The second part will introduce various astronomical instruments and tools including those available on the web.

COVID-19: Due to infection concerns 2021 Observational Astrophisics I course will be given remotely! This means that you will "attend" all lectures using ZOOM conference tool. Once you click the ZOOM link below you will be offered to start a zoom app (if you have it installed) or start a video link in your browser. The same link works for all the lectures but we will follow the schedule dates and times. Unfortunately, we will have no fun using the telescope this year. We will still do the lab using selected archival data.

Grading: In order to complete the course students would have to attend most of the lectures, do the home work, successfully complete and turn in lab exercises and take the exam. This will result in 5 points.

Schedule can be found here.

Zoom link

Lecture Notes and Exercises

Lecture 1 Telescopes 1

Lecture 2 Telescopes 2, Active and Adaptive Optics.

Lecture 3 Direct Imaging and Photometry

Lecture 4 Space Telescopes

Observational lab with the BWT

Lecture 5 Astronomical Detectors

Lecture 6 Detectors and Calibrations

Lecture 7 Spectroscopy and Spectrometers

Lecture 8 Astronomy on the Internet

Presentations of observational lab and preparation for the exam