Computational Astronomy

Code:

AST3002

Acronym:

AST3002

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Astronomy

Instance: 2016/2017 - 1S

Active?	No
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Chemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	0	Official Study Plan	3	-	6	56	162
L:M	0	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	56	162
			3
L:Q	0	study plan from 2016/17	3	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The course aims to provide the student with basic skills to solve problems in different areas of computational astronomy, covering both, the methods used and the astronomy issues being addressed. To achieve this, the student acquires experience on how to use the methods and tools, as well as on developing computer applications to analyze and solve some specific problems of modern astronomy. The aim of the laboratory component is to provide the student with the opportunity to use the techniques and develop the skills needed to solve, computationally a wide range of astronomical problems.

Learning outcomes and competences

Some of the most common methods used in computational astronomy (as interpolation, differentiation, function setting, solving differential equations, Monte Carlo simulations, N-body simulation, optimization, characterizing time series, etc.) are discussed, in order to allow the student to formulate the approach that should be implemented in order to find the solution of each problem being considered. Through application to concrete problems of astronomy, the curricular unit aims at strengthening the student's ability to plan, validate algorithms and implement codes, as well as to evaluate the relevance of the numerical solution being obtained. The choice of problems is made to ensure that the student can use the numerical results to construct the physical interpretation of the specific astronomical problem being addressed.

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 CU includes a theoretical approach in the formulation of the numerical solution, the computer implementation of the algorithm and specific applications to concrete cases, through a portfolio of problems in astronomy whose answer is obtained by the student using a computer. The organization of the contents is:

- Concepts of numerical calculus in astronomy (numerical methods, statistics, Monte Carlo simulations)

- Stellar interior models (sun, low-mass or massive stars, energy production)

- N-body simulations and applications in astronomy (planetary systems, stellar clusters, galaxy, galaxy clusters)

- Fitting models to different systems using spectroscopic or photometric data (synthesis of stellar populations, fitting spectral lines and measuring equivalent widths, other observations)

- Applications of time domain Astronomy (astro-dynamics of stellar binaries and planetary systems, radial velocities in planetary systems, determination of oscillations in stars, planetary transits)

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 course is organized using the theoretical lectures and laboratory work. The theoretical analysis of the issues being addressed is discussed to allow the student to follow the construction of the physic-mathematical description of the various items covered and to do the definition of the computational approach to be implemented. In the laboratory (computer) the student works in structuring of algorithms and implementing the codes in compute, in order to obtain the required results for concrete applications in astronomy (using observational data).

The methodology used aims at enhancing the student's ability to formulate and implement a numerical approach to solve specific problems in astronomy. This is done by ensuring that the student identifies the problem and the desired solution, identifies the method for its resolution, which can then be implemented to study specific astronomical problems/questions. For reaching this goal, the student works on the computer, under the guidance of lecturer, in order to plan and implement the codes needed to produce a valid solution. The student also develops the procedures required to optimize and validate the code as well as the procedures necessary to characterize the solution being calculated (in terms of relevance/physical applicability and determination of uncertainties).

The methodology used ensures that the student develops a critical approach in the analysis and interpretation of numerical results, understanding that these are a simplified representation of a particular physical behaviour for a complex phenomena.

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	76,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	162,00

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.