2008 Handbooks

This unit is intended to give students the appropriate background and theoretical understanding of astronomical observations (techniques and technology) across a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum. This will be coupled with essential coverage of celestial mechanics; coordinates and precession. The unit will specifically cover atmospheric effects, detection theory and detectors and associated image processing and enhancement techniques (including the use of Fourier transforms). The course will cover the fundamentals of radio, X-ray, UV, infra-red and cosmic-ray astronomy and an introduction to stellar structure. Neutrino and gravitational-wave detectors will also be covered. PHYS278 will involve practical experiments based on some of these concepts and may involve evening work at the University's optical and radio observatory. Completing students will be able to write a credible observing proposal.