Description: In this course we will learn the basic tools of modern astronomical research, including telescopes, detectors, imaging, spectroscopy, and common software. Emphasis will be placed on both the theory behind telescopes and their use, and hands-on experience with real data. Using this basic knowledge we will analyze science-level astronomical data from a wide range of telescopes and review the basic properties of stars, galaxies, and other astronomical objects of interest. The course includes a trip to the F. L. Whipple Observatory on Mount Hopkins, Arizona, to gather data with various telescopes. Credits: 4 Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: Astronomy 16 OR Astronomy 17 Location: Northwest Bldg B127 (SEAS) |
Description: How to design experiments and get the most information from noisy, incomplete, flawed, and biased data sets. Basic of Probability theory; Bernoulli trials: Bayes theorem; random variables; distributions; functions of random variables; moments and characteristic functions; Fourier transform analysis; Stochastic processes; estimation of power spectra: sampling theorem, filtering; fast Fourier transform; spectrum of quantized data sets. Weighted least mean squares analysis and nonlinear parameter estimation. Bootstrap methods. Noise processes in periodic phenomena. Image processing and restoration techniques. The course will emphasize a Bayesian approach to problem solving and the analysis of real data sets. Credits: 4 Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: Mathematics 21b |
Description: The primary goal of this course is to familiarize consumers of astronomical data with the fundamental physical principles that underlie the instruments that they use to gather data, as well as provide insight into the engineering constraints that bound the capabilities of available instruments. Topics will include first order optical design principles, the design of telescopes, cameras and spectrographs, as well as basic optical engineering principles and computer aided design. Credits: 4 Prerequisite(s): Recommended: A solid grasp of 1st and 2nd year undergraduate physics and fluency in the application of differential and integral calculus to physical problems. |
Faculty of Arts and Sciences