ASTRONOMY 435/535 - Spring 2003

Instructor: Dr. René Walterbos

Office: Department of Astronomy, Room 102

Phone: 646-5990

Email: rwalterb@nmsu.edu

Web information (under construction): http://ganymede.nmsu.edu/rwalterb/a535

Class time: 9:30 - 10:20 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, in Astr 119

Useful Texts: Taylor or Bevington on basic statistics and error analysis, Schroeder, Astronomical Optics, and Astronomical CCD Observing and Reduction Techniques (ed., S. Howell). The latter is out of print and I may distribute materials as needed

Grades will be based on:

Homework	50%
Quizes (2)	25%
Final	25%

GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

$\bullet$ ASTR 535 is designed to introduce students to the concepts and practical considerations of obtaining, reducing, and analyzing astronomical data. However, many of these concepts will also be relevant for general applications of image processing and error analysis. The main topics covered are error analysis, basic optics, basic understanding of detectors, data reduction, data analysis, and how to plan to make astronomical observations. Subjects in optics will include image formation by telescopes, aberrations, and focal reducing cameras. The discussion of detectors will include CCDs and some near-IR detectors. The material is limited primarily to techniques used in obtaining data in the visible and infrared regions of the spectrum, and considers imaging observations as well as some spectroscopy. Particular attention will be paid to practical experience in data reduction and analysis. This will mostly be computer related work which may include both original programming and the use of one or more of several standard astronomical image processing packages.

One of the most fundamental skills you need to develop in research is to be critical of your own work and check a result from various angles before accepting it. This applies equally in data reduction and analysis. Always ask yourself whether a given answer makes sense, is of the right order of magnitude if it concerns a specific number or numbers, and is in the range you expected.

$\bullet$ We will have 2 in-class quizzes and one final exam; The quizzes will be scheduled in consultation with the students. The final will be held on Monday, May 5, 8:00 - 10:00 am.

$\bullet$ There will be homework assignments throughout the semester. Some of these may include data reduction projects. Occasional collaboration between students on homework problems may be understandable. However, you should always first make a serious attempt at solving homework problems yourself, and any work you turn in should be yours and not copied from someone else.

$\bullet$ Undergraduates taking the class as ASTR 435 will not be required to do the projects. Homeworks, exams, and quizzes will indicate if any questions are not required at the 435 level. Otherwise, undergraduates will be responsible for the same material as graduate students.

$\bullet$ Students are encouraged to consult the NMSU policies regarding assistance available for students with disabilities, and other NMSU relevant NMSU policies regarding excused absences, etc.