Spectroscopy and Photometry in Astronomy

Code:

AST4003

Acronym:

AST4003

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2022/2023 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:A_ASTR	7	Plano de Estudos oficial desde_2013/14	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

English
Obs.: As aulas serão em português caso todos dominem esta língua.

Objectives

It is intended that students understand the workings and characteristics of detectors and instruments of observation in modern astronomy, in particular in the optical waveband and including CCD cameras and spectrographs. They should also acquire the basic knowledge enabling them to reduce photometric and spectroscopic data, analyze the results and infer conclusions on practical applications in research.

Learning outcomes and competences

Familiarization with the basic signals in Astronomy (photometry, spectroscopy), detectors and their operation in order to be able to reduce the respective data. Acquisition of basic knowledge on data reduction. Ability to handle specific software and analyse the results of its application to real data.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Instrumentation in Astronomy - Cameras and detectors. - Noise and artifacts recorded on a CCD and their correction. - Filter and magnitude systems in the optical. - The spectrograph and the dipersor - gratings. - Resolving power of a spectrograph. - Quick reference to multi-object spectroscopy and integral field spectroscopy. 2. Reduction of low-resolution spectroscopic observations - The treatment of thermal noise and sensitivity analysis of the detector. - Removal of the effects of cosmic rays in the images. - Calibration of the spectra in wavelength. - Calibration of spectra in flux using standard reference stars. - Analysis 3. Reduction of observations in several photometric filters - The treatment of thermal noise and sensitivity analysis of the detector. - PSF analysis and detection of objects in the image. - Aperture photometry. - Photometry calibration using standard stars.

Mandatory literature

Sterken Chr.; Astronomical photometry. ISBN: 0-7923-1776-9
Kitchin C. R.; Astrophysical techniques. ISBN: 0-85274-461-7
Gray David F.; The observation and analysis of stellar photospheres. ISBN: 0-521-85186-6

Complementary Bibliography

Sutton Edmund C.; Observational astronomy. ISBN: 9781107010468

Comments from the literature

Support documents regarding the software used for data reduction will be made available or indicated to the students. Published scientific papers will also be given as bibliographic material, when/if required.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Practical work with computer during classes, enabling the reduction of real astronomical data using the adopted software. These classes will be supplemented with lectures on the fundamentals of data processing. The final exam will use the computer, in order to reduce real observations, both spectroscopic and photometric.

Software

Astropy

keywords

Physical sciences > Astronomy

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	106,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students should participate in, at least, 50% of the practical classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Studetns can choose between two alternative assessment systems:

A- With continuous assessment
A1. [50%] Intermediate written test on Photometry
A2. [50%] Intermediate written test on Spectroscopy

B- Without continuous assessment
Appeal exam with two components: Photometry [50%] + Spectroscopy [50%]

Classification improvement

By exam, in the "época de recurso" (appeal). The appeal exam will have two components: a module on spectroscopy and another one on photometry. If the student wishes, he/she can improve the grade in only one of the modules.

Observations

The jury of this curricular unit includes:
- Jorge Filipe Gameiro
- João Lima
- Mário João Monteiro