16927 - Astrophysics Laboratory

Learning outcomes

This course is meant to provide the possibility to the student to learn about reduction, analysis and interpretation of data from ground-based and space-based facilities. The student will learn about the capabilities and main parameters of telescopes across a wide range of wavelengths, from radio to optical and X-rays/Gamma-rays. Modern techniques of astronomical data analysis will be acquired by the student. At the end of the work every student will be able to present and discuss properly data analysis and the measurements taken during the course.

Course contents

* Detection of astronomical signals. Transmission of the electromagnetic radiation through the atmosphere.
* Background and its treatment in astronomical data analysis.
* PSF and signal-to-noise ratio concepts.
* Photometry: photometric systems, calibration, and aperture photometry.
* Spectroscopy of different classes of sources (stars, galaxies, and AGN).
* Properties of telescopes in different bands.
* Data analysis in the radio, optical and X-ray/Gamam-ray bands.
* Excursus on the properties of the main modern telescopes and future facilities.
* High-energy properties of the AGN: open issues.
* Interferometry: main concepts, and possibilities in the ALMA era.
* Analysis of single-dish radio data.
* Analysis of high-energy data.
* High-energy detectors: how to use it and data acquisition.

Readings/Bibliography

• Glenn F. Knoll: "Radiation Detectors for X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy"
• Hale Bradt: "Astronomy Methods"
• Keith Arnaud, Randall Smith, Aneta Siemiginowska: "Handbook of X-ray Astronomy"
• George H. Rieke: "Measuring the Universe. A Multiwavelength Perspective"
• Kitchin C. R.: "Telescopes and Techniques"
• Hale Bradt: ”Astronomy Methods”
• E.C. Sutton: ”Observational Astronomy. Techniques and Instrumentations"
• Specific guides to data reduction and analysis

Teaching methods

Lessons and data analysis laboratory. During the lessons, all the problems related to the detection of signal from sources at different wavelengths (radio, optical, and X-ray/Gamma-ray) will be discussed, along with the main parameters characterizing ground- and space-based telescopes. In the lab course, reduction, analysis and interpretation of astronomical data will be treated deeply, with particular attention to current and forthcoming facilities. The optical part of the lab course consists also in observing at the telescope of Loiano.

Assessment methods

Final oral exam following tests on the individual lab modules of the course. These tests are based on powerpoint presentations and written papers on the lab experience and outcomes. The final exam comprises questions in the fields of instruments and their main properties and parameters, and relevant techniques for astronomical data analysis.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations and blackboard.

Office hours

See the website of Cristian Vignali

See the website of Alessio Mucciarelli

See the website of Myriam Gitti

See the website of Jan Brand

See the website of Paola Grandi