| Title: | Optical &High Energy Astronomy |
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| Long Title: | Optical & High Energy Astronomy |
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| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 ) |
| Module Coordinator: |
Donagh OMahony |
| Module Author: |
EVA NORRIS |
| Module Description: |
This module aims to investigate techniques and instrumentation used in high precision optical astronomy and high energy multi-messenger astronomy. Production methods and sources of high energy particle emission are also investigated. |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| LO1 |
Describe the instrumentation associated with high-precision optical systems |
| LO2 |
Critically evaluate the techniques and limitations associated with high-precision optical astronomy with emphasis on the detection of extra-solar planets. |
| LO3 |
Explain the basic physical processes involving particle acceleration and associated high energy particle & electromagnetic emission. |
| LO4 |
Describe and evaluate both satellite and ground-based instrumentation associated with the detection of high energy photon and particle emission |
| LO5 |
Critically analyse and interpret data taken from a number of astronomical sources using professional freely-available software packages. |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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| 13990 |
PHYS6051 |
Astronomy & Instrumentation |
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list. |
| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
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| No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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Optical Astronomy - telescopes & detectors
Types of optical telescope. Limiting magnitudes, magnification, plate scale and fields of view. Types of optical detectors.
CCD characteristics (dynamic range, linearity, read noise, hot pixels etc)
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Optical Astronomy - seeing through the atmosphere
Atmospheric effects – extinction and scintillation. Filter choice and the tradeoff between photon detection and extinction effects. Photometry and the implication of field choice. Differential photometry and light curves. Imaging techniques.
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Searching for Extrasolar Planets
Current status of extrasolar planet research. Comparison of different planet searching techniques and results. Requirements for designing observing programmes suitable for extrasolar planet detection.
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High Energy Astronomy - detection techniques
The high energy astronomy spectrum. Satellite-based detection techniques for extreme UV, X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy. Ground-based techniques for very high energy gamma-ray astronomy. Measurement technique sensitivity and limitations.
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High Energy Astrophysics
Basic physical processes involved in the production of accelerated particles and high energy electromagnetic radiation. Production mechanisms at work in a selection of galactic (X-Ray binaries, Supernova Remnants) and extra-galactic (Active Galactic Nuclei, Gamma Ray Bursts) high energy astronomical sources. Multi-messenger astronomy - Gravity waves, neutrino astronomy. Current research and future prospects for high energy astrophysics.
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Course Work | 100.00% |
| Course Work |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Short Answer Questions |
Examination on the principles of operation of instrumentation used for high precision optical astronomy |
1,2 |
25.0 |
Week 6 |
| Short Answer Questions |
Examination on the theoretical background and instrumentation associated with high energy multi-messenger astronomy |
3,4 |
25.0 |
Week 12 |
| Written Report |
Laboratory Work |
1,2,3,4,5 |
25.0 |
Every Second Week |
| Project |
Group research project on some technological aspect of the module. |
1,2,3,4,5 |
25.0 |
Sem End |
| No End of Module Formal Examination |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
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The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Delivery of module content. |
3.0 |
Every Week |
3.00 |
| Lab |
Laboratory experiments in astronomy. |
1.0 |
Every Week |
1.00 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Study of module material. |
3.0 |
Every Week |
3.00 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Delivery of module content. |
3.0 |
Every Week |
3.00 |
| Lab |
Laboratory experiments in astronomy. |
1.0 |
Every Week |
1.00 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Study of module material. |
3.0 |
Every Week |
3.00 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.00 |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
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- Roger A. Freedman, Robert Geller, William J. Kaufmann 2019, The Universe, Eleventh Edition Ed., Freeman [ISBN: 9781319248642]
- Bradley W. Carroll; Dale A. Ostlie 2017, Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, 1 Ed., Cambridge University Press [ISBN: 9781108422161]
- Malcolm S. Longair 2012, High Energy Astrophysics, 3 Ed., Cambridge University PRess [ISBN: 9780521756181]
- Steve B Howell 2006, Handbook of CCD Astronomy, 2nd Ed., 7, Cambridge University Press [ISBN: 0521617626]
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
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| Other Resources |
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- Website: Blackrock Castle Observatory
- website: PlanetQuest, Jet Propulsion Lab, California Institute of Technology
- website: Catalog of Nearby Exoplanets
- website: NASA Goddard Space Flight Centren/a
- website: 'Kepler: A Search for Habitable Planets'n/a
- website: Gravitational Wave Observatory
- website: South Pole Neutrino Observatory
- website: Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope
- Interactive Online Sky Atlas: Centre de Données astronomiques de StrasbourgAladin Sky Atlas
- Website: Astrophysics Data System
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Module Delivered in
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