Prospectus

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Astronomical Observing Techniques

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

None

Description

This course introduces students to the observational approaches and instruments of modern astronomy. The first part of the course is focused on the theoretical background including Fourier transforms, radiation, the Earth’s atmosphere, and optics. The second part introduces the most important observational techniques including optical and radio telescopes, detectors, spectrometers, and adaptive optics. Students will write their own codes to apply their knowledge.

The lectures and exercises cover the following topics:

  • Properties of radiation

  • Atmospheric properties

  • Fourier transform

  • Geometrical and diffraction optics

  • Telescopes

  • Measurement properties

  • Radio techniques

  • Interferometry

  • Detectors

  • Spectrometers

  • Imagers

  • Adaptive optics

Course objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to select the most appropriate technique to observe a given astronomical phenomena.

In particular, students will be able to:

  • Calculate the properties of radiation received from black bodies

  • Explain the different influences of the Earth’s atmosphere on astronomical observations

  • Perform analytical and numerical Fourier transforms

  • Explain the working principles of optical and radio telescopes

  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different detector types

  • Calculate the expected performance of a given instrument

  • Select an appropriate instrument to observe a given astronomical phenomena

In this course, students will be trained in the following behaviour-oriented skills:

  • Problem solving (recognizing and analyzing problems, solution-oriented thinking)

  • Analytical skills (analytical thinking, abstraction, evidence)

  • Critical thinking (asking questions, check assumptions)

Timetable

Schedule

In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.

Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.

Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.

Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.

Mode of instruction

  • Lectures

  • Exercise classes

  • Homework sets

Assessment method

  • Written exam

  • It is possible to gain up to 1 bonus grade point on top of your exam grade by completing the homework sets. An average grade of 6 or higher is required to be able to gain the bonus.

Reading list

Materials in class.

Registration

As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.

In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.

There are two enrolment periods per year:

  • Enrolment for the fall opens in July

  • Enrolment for the spring opens in December

See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.

Note:

  • It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.

  • Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.

  • Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.

Contact

Teacher: Dr. N. van der Marel

Remarks

Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.