 | | |
| SPAT0057-1 | Observing the Sky
|
|
| Duration : | 20h Th, 10h Pr, 5d FW |
|
| Number of credits : |
|
|
| Lecturer : | Jean Surdej |
|
Language(s) of instruction :
|
| French language |
|
Organisation and examination :
|
| Teaching in the first semester, examination in June with partial in January |
|
Course contents :
|
| This course mainly deals with the observation of the sky.
In this context, we shall organize campaigns of nigth observations to locate in the sky the brightest stars and the main constellations. We shall also make use of virtual observatories to study various kinds of celestial objects.
Part of this course is dedicated to a good understanding of modern telescopes and their instrumentation, located on the ground and in space with the aim to perform sky or Earth observations. The principles and operation of infra-red, optical (cf. the ESO VLTI), sub-millimeter (ALMA) and radio (VLTI and VLBA) interferometers, large future telescopes (OWL, ELTs) will be reviewed.
Visits of the Haute-Provence Observatory (France), the Caussols observatory near Grasse (France) or the European Space Agency (Noordwijk, Holland) will be organized.
This course has been designed for future physicists, engineers, etc. willing to communicate with other people basic concepts of observation as well as to those wishing to pursue more specialized studies (cf. PhDs, ...) or careers in astrophysics and geophysics. |
|
Learning outcomes of the course :
|
| To learn how to observe at best the Sky. |
|
Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
|
| None. |
|
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
|
| 10 hours of practical exercises (observations of the sky, use of virtual observatories, data reduction and analysis, etc.) and the equivalent of 5 days of training and/or visits of research institutions (either the Haute-Provence Observatory in France, the Caussols observatory near Grasse (France) or the European Space Agency in Noordwijk - Holland) will be organized during the academic year. Several research assistants will participate to these practical exercises, training and visits. |
|
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
|
| 20 hours of theory will be taught during the first months of the academic year (Sart Tilman, room 3-45, Bldg. B5a). |
|
Recommended or required readings :
|
| Preliminary lecture notes are accessible via the link http://www.aeos.ulg.ac.be/teaching.php
Some reference books are also mentioned in the lecture notes. |
|
Assessment methods and criteria :
|
| An oral exam (1 question, approximately 1h) and a written exam (or a project) will be proposed. Evaluation of the students will essentially be based upon his(her) understanding as opposed to his(her) memory skills. |
|
Work placement(s) :
|
| 5 days of training and/or visits of research institutions (either the Haute-Provence Observatory in France, the Caussols observatory near Grasse (France) or the European Space Agency in Noordwijk - Holland) will be organized during the academic year. Several research assistants will participate to these practical exercises, training and visits. |
|
Organizational remarks :
|
| None. |
|
Contacts :
|
| J. Surdej (Full Professor and F.R.S.-FNRS honorary research director) surdej@astro.ulg.ac.be
Olivier Absil (Research Associate F.R.S.-FNRS) Absil@astro.ulg.ac.be
Lindsay Marion (FRIA PhD student) Lindsay.Marion@ulg.ac.be
Maxime Devogèle (assistant ULg) Devogele@astro.ulg.ac.be(Ricci@astro.ulg.ac.be
Secretary (Mrs Sylvia Grandjean) )Sylvia.Grandjean@ulg.ac.be
Institute of Astrophysics and Geophysics, ULg, Allée du 6 Août 17, Bât. B5c, B-4000 Sart Tilman (Liège) - Tel.: 04/366 97 83 or 9755, Fax: 04-366 97 46 http://www.aeos.ulg.ac.be |
|
|
| Items online : |
|
| Lecture Notes "Observing the sky" |
| The notes and videos of the 7 lectures "Observing the sky" of the master in space sciences are available via the link and item below:
Observing the Sky SPAT0057-1 |
|
|
