| Instructor:
Dr. Ana M. Larson
Office: C335, Physics Astronomy Building Office hours: 9:30 - 11:30 am (appt) Questions? E-Mail: larson -at- astro.washington -dot- edu |
TA: Rok Roškar
Office: B351 Physics Astronomy Building Office hours: Email: roskar -at- astro.washington -dot- edu |
This course will provide an introduction to the tools and techniques of observational astronomy. We will review the basics of using the concept of a celestial sphere to map the sky, and measuring the flux of an object to learn more about it. There will be a brief introduction to spectroscopy and how we reduce and analyze spectra. We will cover the basics of astronomical image analysis using IRAF, one of the standard packages used in the discipline. We will also learn how to characterize and use CCD detectors, which form the foundation of modern optical wavelength astronomical observations. The last part of the quarter will be spent with students working on a hands-on project, planning and making their own observations, reducing the data, and writing the report.
 Syllabus
Course Calendar [Includes Lecture Links]
Assignment Due Dates
Choosing Your Observing Targets
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Required Reading:
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 Our WICKED WIKI |
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| Tutorials and Exercises | ||
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If you are not familiar with the Linux operating system, these are available for self-study:
Linux Tutorial I (PDF format) Linux Tutorial II (PDF format) Linux Tutorial III (PDF format) Linux Exercise |
PyRAF Tutorial | |
| Guidelines for your Final Project | ||
| Quizzes, Preparation, Homework | ||
| Quizzes Reading Quiz 1 Beginner's Guide to IRAF Manual Reading Quiz 2 Howell Chapters 1 - 2 Reading Quiz 3 Howell Chapter 3 Reading Quiz 4 Howell Chapter 4 Reading Quiz 5 Howell Chapter 5 |
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| Important Links | |
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I) SoftwareIRAF on-line helpIRAF Documentation IRAF Beginner's Manual (PDF)
SuperMongo Tutorial
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III) Observing prepXEphem reference manualGenerating Finding Charts Weather Info for Seattle region Satellite Imagery Extinction Law Calculator Signal-to-noise Calculator for CCD Photometry Astronomical Time Calculations [javascript program] CCD Information from SITe, INc. |
IV) Useful DatabasesADS abstract service (literature searches)Simbad astronomical object database VizieR catalogue querier Database for Globular Clusters WEBDA database for Open Clusters AAVSO Variable Stars of Every Color and Stripes Imaginable |
V) Other observatoriesManashtash Ridge ObservatoryApache Point Observatory Sloan Digital Sky Survey |
A whole "ton" of important and relevant links! | |
Astronomical Photometry, Henden, A and Kaitchuck, R. Van nostrad Reinhold Compnay, 1982 (somewhat dated on detectors but good treatment of data analysis)
Astrophysical Techniques, 2nd Edition, Kitchen, C. IOP Publishing Ltd 1991 (Good general overview of the physical basis for astronomical observations)
Astronomical Observations, Walker, G., Cambridge 1987 (a solid book with lots of nitty gritty information)
Observational Astronomy, Birney, D., Cambridge 1991
Advanced Amateur Astronomy, North, G. , 2nd ed, Cambridge 1997
Observational Astrophysics, Lena et al, Springer 1996
Recommended for your astronomy library:
