2003 Fall Astronomy 501: Modern Astronomical Techniques (Part II) (3 units)
Instructor Information:
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission of instructor.
Course Schedule
Primary Textbook:
"Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy (2nd edition)" by Thompson, Moran, & Swenson
(Copies should be available on the online bookstores; one copy has been placed on reserve at the Shapiro Science Library)
Recommended Readings:
Other potentially useful texts will be placed on reserve at the Shapiro Science Library. These include:
- "Cosmic Discovery" by Martin Harwit
- "Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium (2001)" National Research Council (i.e., the McKee and Taylor Report)
- "Principles of Long-Baseline Stellar Interferometry" edited by Peter Lawson
- "Handbook of Infrared Astronomy" by I. S. Glass
- "Radio Astronomy" by John Krauss
- "Studies in Optics" by Albert A. Michelson
- "An Introduction to Radio Astronomy (2nd edition)" by Bernard F. Burke and Francis Graham-Smith
The physical, mathematical, and practical methods of modern astronomical observations at all wavelengths are covered at a level that will prepare students to comprehend published data and prepare for their own observations. The second half of this course will focus on the following major topics:
- Polarimetry
- Infrared, mm-wave, and radio detectors; heterodyne and homodyne methods
- Basic design principles for cryogenic optical systems; Background-limited observing.
- Basic single-telescope observing strategies in the infrared, mm-wave, and the radio
- Atmospheric turbulence theory
- Adaptive optics
- Optical and Radio Interferometry
- Aperture Synthesis Imaging; Deconvolution; Image reconstruction
- Possible Special Topics: Nulling interferometry, gravity waves, laser guide stars, fiber optics
Grading will have a few components. There will be approximately one homework assignment per two weeks covering the lectures and assigned readings. There will be a two-hour final exam at the end of the term covering material from both sections of class. Lastly, participation in class discussions will also play a role in your grade. The final grading will be done according to the following table:
Assignment | Percentage |
Homework | 60% |
Final Exam | 20% |
Participation | 20% |
Homework Policies:
Late homework is accepted, but suffers a 2-letter-grade penalty for each day late. While you may work in groups, each problem set should reflect your own understanding and be in your own words. Credit will not be given for answers that do not have adequate derivation (i.e., show your work).
Schedule for AY501: Last updated 2003Nov02 (schedules subject to change)
Date | Readings | Topics | Homework |
Wed Oct 22 | Polarimetry | #1 | |
Fri Oct 24 | Infrared Detectors (photoconductors, photodiodes, noise processes, MUXs, visit SNAP lab) | ||
Mon Oct 27 | |||
Wed Oct 29 | * | Rescheduled (see Peach Mountain Visit below) | |
Fri Oct 31 | Bolometers (basics, types, noise, cryogenics, examples) | Due #1 | |
Mon Nov 3 | |||
Wed Nov 5 | Background-limited observing (dewars, lyot stops, chop/nod, *SNR*, advantages of SPACE) | ||
Fri Nov 7 | |||
Mon Nov 10 | MSS5 | Atmospheric Turbulence Theory (Kolmogorov) | |
Wed Nov 12 | Adaptive Optics | ||
Fri Nov 14 | Radio Astronomy (signal processing, telescopes, antenna theory, hardware, observing methods, spectroscopy) | Due #2 | |
Mon Nov 17 | |||
Wed Nov 19 | |||
Fri Nov 21 | TMS
Chap2-4 |
Radio Interferometry (single-baseline, important effects, VLBI) | |
Mon Nov 24 | |||
Wed Nov 26 | No Class | ||
Fri Nov 28 | No Class (Thanksgiving) | ||
Mon Dec 1 | Monnier 2003; MSS | Optical Interferometry (coherent combination, closure phase) | Due #3 |
(Tue Dec 02) | Visit to Peach Mountain Radio Observatory | ||
Wed Dec 3 | TMS(Ch5,10,11), MSS | Aperture Synthesis Imaging (imaging theory, deconvolution, CLEAN, Maximum Entropy, self-calibration) | |
Fri Dec 5 | |||
Mon Dec 8 | |||
Wed Dec 10 |
Special Topics (optical fibers, coronagraphy, ...)
|
Due #4 |
Polarimetry:
Michelson Summer School Notes:
The following links may be useful at various points during the class. Please send me additional links you have found useful, and I will include these for your classmates' benefit.
IDL Resources:
Radio Astronomy (General):
Interferometry: