Computacional Astronomy

Code:

AST388

Acronym:

AST388

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2015/2016 - 1S (of 21-09-2015 to 19-12-2015)

Active?	No
Web Page:	https://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=2464
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	First Degree in Astronomy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:AST	0	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2008	3	-	7,5	-

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

In this course unit the aim is to formulate and analyze the methods, tools and computer applications for the study and resolution of common problems of modern astronomy. The goal is to provide the student with the techniques and skills needed to solve computational problems in astronomy.

Learning outcomes and competences

The course aims at ensuring that the student is able to optimize the algorithms and codes used, reinforcing the need to validate numerical results. It is also expected that the stduent will develop a critical approach to the analysis and interpretation of numerical results, seen as a simplified representation of a real physical system in astronomy.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Basic astronomy concepts and some experience with tyhe numerical calculation of physical models.

Program

The contents of the course include a theoretical approach of the numerical resolution of problems, its computational implementation and application to concrete problems of astronomy. Some of the most basic computational methods used in astronomy (such as interpolation, derivatives, fit of functions, solving differential equations, Monte Carlo simulations, N-body simulations, optimization, characterization of time series, etc.) will be discussed in order to allow the student to define the approach that should be implemented to find a solution of each problem considered. Through applications to concrete problems of astronomy, the course work seeks to strengthen the student's ability to program, validate algorithms and codes, and evaluate the numerical solution obtained. The choice of issues will be made to ensure that the student can relate the numerical results with the physical interpretation of the original problem of astronomy. The program will include a portfolio of issues and questions of astronomy whose answer has to be obtained computationally by the student.

Mandatory literature

Monteiro, M.J.P.F.G.; Astronomia Computacional, 2011 (Reference manual of the course unit)

Complementary Bibliography

Bajpai A. C.; Numerical methods for engineers and scientists. ISBN: 0-471-99542-8

Comments from the literature

Supporting material (articles, web references, presentations and book chpaters) are available at the course unit webpage.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The theoretical component and the planning of the tasks is discussed in the lectures, while the implementation and analysis of the solutions is done through pratical sessions in the computer.

Software

MatLab (optional)
IDL (optional)
Fortran (optional)
Python

keywords

Physical sciences
Physical sciences > Astronomy

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	35,00
Participação presencial	5,00
Trabalho escrito	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	30,00
Estudo autónomo	109,50
Frequência das aulas	63,00
Total:	202,50

Eligibility for exams

In order to qualify for evaluation the student must

1) attend a minimum of 50% of the lectures,

2) submit a minimum of one report.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade is obtained by combined the result on different components of the evaluation. These are:

1) 60% a minimum of three writen reports on specific study cases developed during the semester and a short presentation (10 minutes) of the results of the last project,

2) 5% - participation in the activities through interaction in the lectures and presentation of preliminary results,

3) 35% - a final written exam (access to supproting material and/or to a computer is allowed).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Due to the specific characteristics of this coruse unit it is not possible to request and additional evaluation test.

Classification improvement

The classifications in most of the components of the evaluation can be improved, namely in any of the reports and the final exam.