Study Programmes 2015-2016
SPAT0057-1  
Observing the sky
Duration :
20h Th, 20h Pr, 2d FW
Number of credits :
Master in space sciences (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Jean Surdej
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
This course deals with the observation of the Sky. 
The first part of the course will be dedicated to a good understanding of modern instruments and telescopes located on the ground and in space with the aim to observe the Sky. The principles and operation of infra-red, optical (cf. the ESO VLTI), sub-millimeter (ALMA) and radio (VLBI and VLBA) interferometers will be reviewed.
In the context of practical work, the students will carry out some interferometric experiments in the visible using simple tools,.
They will also have the opportunity to align a 26cm telescope located on the roof of the Institute of Physics at ULg and to carry out sky observations during two clear nights. They will learn how to identify the brightest stars and the main constellations.
We will also use the Stellarium software to locate interesting celestial objects in the Sky.
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.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
None.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Practical exercises (interferometric experiments, use of several planetarium software, etc.) and 2 clear nights of observations of the Sky will be organized at dates to be proposed during the academic year.
Several researchers will participate in the supervision of the work.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Twenty hours of theory will be taught during the first months of the academic year (Sart Tilman, in principle in the class room 1.19 of the B5b building).
Recommended or required readings :
Lecture notes will become 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 :
Evaluation of the students will be organized as follows: an oral exam (60% of the points), oral presentation of the results of the interferometry experiments (15% of the points, 10h of practical work), data reduction and writing of an observing report (25% of the points, 10h of practical work and 2 observing nights). The oral exam (1 question, approximately 1h) will be proposed in January. Evaluation of the students will essentially be based upon his(her) understanding as opposed to his(her) memory skills.
Work placement(s) :
Two nights of observation with the Vixen Telescope (26cm) located on the roof of the Physics building at the University of Liège.
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 )
Olivier Wertz (post-doc, ULg) Wertz@astro.ulg.ac.be(Ricci@astro.ulg.ac.be )
Bikram Pradhan (boursier WBI) Pradhan@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 19, 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 :
Observing the sky
Lecture notes will become available via the link below: