ASTR 311 - Methods of Observational Astronomy

3 Credit(s)

This course provides an overview of the various instruments and techniques used by professional astronomers to obtain and reduce their data. Topics include telescope design, optical and infrared detectors, noise, radio telescopes, x-ray and gamma-ray detectors, neutrino detectors, CCD detectors and electronic imaging, speckle interferometry, photometry, and spectroscopy. A primary objective is the direct participation in astronomical research by studying variable stars using the facilities of the Widener University Observatory. Students learn how to operate the 16-inch telescope and CCD camera, take calibration frames, and employ photometry to obtain stellar magnitudes. Sessions are run in part lecture, part laboratory/project format, and require some outside reading. Students also solve problems and exercises that involve analyses of astronomical data.
3 hours lecture/laboratory/projects.
Prerequisite(s): ASTR 200.