NFYK14013U Astronomical instrumentation

Volume 2014/2015
Content

The course will cover the principles of the propagation (seeing effects), collection (antenna/telescope), preparation (instrument), recording (detector) and processing (data acquisition system) of photons (Gamma-ray, X-ray, visible, IR and radio) from astronomical sources.

Specific subjects covered are active and adaptive optics, interferometry, high contrast imaging, coherent vs incoherent detection, astrometry, principles of spectroscopy, ground based and space based observatories, sampling, noise and noise spectra, sampling and transfer function, introduction to the implementation of instrument projects

Learning Outcome

To pass this course the student must:
Knowledge

  • Know the basic working principles of observing tools throughout the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • Be able to identify the proper choice of telescope/instrument for addressing a given astrophysical problem.

Skills

  • Sketch the principle layout of telescopes and instruments.
  • Characterize a detector system in terms of noise, linearity and full well.
  • Perform simple optics design of instruments.
  • Be able to outline basic parameters of a conceptual instrument design.

Competences

After succesfully completing the course the student will be able to:

  • Evaluate choices of instrument setup/configuration in the context of writing observing proposals.
  • Describe instrumental effects on data.
  • Examine the impact of observing conditions on data quality.
  • Argue if an instrument is performing according to specifications.

George H. Rieke: ”Measuring the Universe” (Cambridge University Press, 2012)
complemented by Lecture notes

It is expected that the student is familiar with basic astronomical data reduction, as taught in the course ’Astronomical Data Processing’
Lectures, theoretical and hands-on exercises, discussions
Students are required to bring their own laptops. The following terminal software is necessary:
Windows: Xming software is needed: http:/​/​sourceforge.net/​projects/​xming/​ & http:/​/​www.straightrunning.com/​XmingNotes/​
Help can be obtained from SCIENCE IT: e-mail: it-support@science.ku.dk, Phone: 35 32 21 00
Linux: the X11 environment is standard and runs automatically.
MacIntosh/MACs: Starting with operating system OS 10.5 the X11 environment can be used. This can be downloaded for free from http:/​/​xquartz.macosforge.org/​landing/​.
For operating systems Leopard and Lion the X11 environment is a part of OS X.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 24
  • Practical exercises
  • 60
  • Preparation
  • 82
  • Project work
  • 40
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Continous assesment, 4 exercises, each completed with a written report, one essay of minimum 15 pages, on a subject of own choice and approved by the teacher.

To pass the course the student must:
- be present in the majority (>80%) of the classes and actively participate in the exercises, and
- submit written reports on the 4 exercises which must be approved by the instructors, and
- submit an essay which demonstrates command of a significant fraction of the subjects covered in the course. This essay must be approved by the teacher, and for the reader (a Master’s student at the starting level) the essay should be understood with ease.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More internal examiners
Re-exam
Same as ordinary exam. The reports/essay must be re-submitted and approved by the instructors.
Criteria for exam assesment

see learning oucome