Telescopes and Detectors for Spacial Sciences
Keywords |
Classification |
Keyword |
OFICIAL |
Physics |
Instance: 2020/2021 - 2S
Cycles of Study/Courses
Acronym |
No. of Students |
Study Plan |
Curricular Years |
Credits UCN |
Credits ECTS |
Contact hours |
Total Time |
MI:EF |
5 |
study plan from 2017/18 |
4 |
- |
6 |
42 |
162 |
Teaching language
Suitable for English-speaking students
Objectives
The main objective of this course is to give students basic training in instrumentation concepts for space sciences, giving them the tools to become, one day, leaders in developing this type of technology used at ESO and ESA. This includes both the hardware component and data reduction. The course will allow students to understand the language used in the area, the various types of telescopes and instruments, and the type of data that is collected, as well as some details about its analysis. Thus this course can open strong collaborations among students (future professionals) and international institutions such as the ESO and ESA. These collaborations can materialize from the
point of view of employment but also in the context of providing technology for these institutions (because the course allows the students, as clients, to understand the language used from the companies side and better indentify potential interests)
Learning outcomes and competences
Chapter 1 gives the students an overview of the importance of the instrumentation development for the observation of the universe as well as the language used in the area. Chapters 2-6 allow the student to understand the basics of instrumentation used in space sciences. Chapter 7 allows then to explore the steps to reduce raw images, ie the necessary steps to correct an image from several instrumental effects (and leave it ready for a scientific analysis). In the last chapter we discuss the challenges and instrumentation for the next decade. The practical component will allow students to consolidate and apply some of the most important concepts taught in the theoretical component.
Working method
Presencial
Program
Lectures:
1. Observational Astronomy: historical perspective, types of data, and astrophysical goals
2. Telescopes: types of telescopes and mounts
3. Instrumentation for Astronomy: components and design, physical principles of
photometers, spectrographs, and interferometers
4. Types of detectors
5. CCDs for optical astronomy: basic principles, operation, and imaging
6. Detectors at other wavelengths
7. Image Processing
8. Instrumentation and challenges for the future
Practical component:
1. Computer classes. Pipeline for CHEOPS data reduction.
Mandatory literature
McLean Ian S.;
Electronic imaging in astronomy. ISBN: 978-3-540-76582-0
Complementary Bibliography
Steve B. Howell; Handbook of CCF Astronomy, Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN: 9780511161056
Howell Steve B. 340;
Astronomical CCD observing and reduction techniques. ISBN: 0937707424
Teaching methods and learning activities
Lectures using the blackboard and, when necessary, multimedia. Resolution of theoretical exercises. Presentation of scientific articles.
Practical classes to work on the project of data reduction.
Software
Python
Evaluation Type
Distributed evaluation with final exam
Assessment Components
designation |
Weight (%) |
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico |
20,00 |
Exame |
40,00 |
Trabalho prático ou de projeto |
40,00 |
Total: |
100,00 |
Amount of time allocated to each course unit
designation |
Time (hours) |
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico |
10,00 |
Estudo autónomo |
110,00 |
Frequência das aulas |
42,00 |
Total: |
162,00 |
Eligibility for exams
Frequence of classes is not mandatory, but it is considered very importance.
Calculation formula of final grade
Evaluation Type: Distributed evaluation with final exam. Evaluation Formula calculated using the weighted average of 4 components:
- Written exam (40%)
- Presentation of scientific articles/instrumentation manuals (20%)
- Project on data reduction (40%)
Examinations or Special Assignments
May improve grades in the 2nd epoch exam (de recurso).