Course Description

Course Name

Astronomical Techniques

Session: VCPS3118

Hours & Credits

24 Host University Units

Prerequisites & Language Level

Course entry requirements: PHY1004W and MAM1000W (pre-requisites), or
PHY1023H and MAM1005H (pre-requisites) and PHY1004W and MAM1006H (co-requisites)

Taught In English

  • There is no language prerequisite for courses at this language level.

Overview

Course outline:
This course combines a large practical component (radio and optical astronomy practicals) with theoretical background in astronomical techniques, instrumentation and data analysis. The techniques, instrumentation and data analysis section includes: Positional astronomy: time systems, spherical astronomy, coordinate systems and conversions, astrometry; Detection systems: interaction of radiation and matter, ultraviolet and optical detectors; Optics and telescope design; Multi-wavelength astronomy: infrared, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma?ray astronomy, fundamentals of radio astronomy; Observational techniques: photometry and spectroscopy; Orthodox statistics: probability distributions, Chi-squared distribution, propagation of errors; Stochastic processes and noise: photon noise.

*Course content subject to change