- Docente: Bruno Marano
- Credits: 7
- SSD: FIS/05
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Astronomy (cod. 8004)
Learning outcomes
Provide the student witha basic knowledge of geometrical and wave optics, with specific application to astronomical instrumentation and observations. Provide the student with the capability of evaluating the performances of simple optical systems
Course contents
Light and electromagnetic radiation.
Geometrical optics: reflection, refraction, absorption, dispersion. Atmospheric absorption and dispersion.
Thin lenses. Mirrors. Image formation.
Optical aberrations: chromatic, spherical, astigmatism, coma, distortion.
Optical instruments: eye, loupe, spyglass, microscope.
Telescopes: scale, field, luminosity. Newtonian, Cassegrain, Gregorian, Schmidt telescopes.
Introduction to the Fourier Tranform.
Wave optics, Huygens-Fresnel principle. Interference and diffraction.
Resolution of an optical system. PSF. Sampling.
Light polarization.
The "Seeing".
Modern X-ray, optical, radio- telescopes on earth and in space (short account).
Optical lab.: Lenses and mirrors. Slit and wedge diffraction. Michelson interferometer.
Readings/Bibliography
Suggested:
Eugene Hecht - Optics - Addison Wesley. Very good reference textbook, more extended than the course. Suggestions for the study on this book are provided.
Or: Halliday, Resnick e Krane, Physics II, Wiley.
Available on site http://www.unibo.it/docenti/bruno.marano:
- PDF of presentations used in the lectures are available.
- Selection of problems
- instruction for the lab activity
are available on IOL: http://www.unibo.it/docenti/bruno.marano
Teaching methods
Foreword: Due to the present situation, it is foreseen that n Autumn 2020 part of the students shall attend the lectures on line.
Mostly conventional lectures on theory, integrated by solution of problems and simple experiments.
Further exercises are suggested to the students for personal training.
Optical lab (in presence, rules tbd): Assembly of optical systems on bench; related
measurements (lenses, mirror, interference, diffraction)
Assessment methods
a) solution of problems in written form;
b) evaluation of the lab activity report
c) final oral exam.
As a rule, the written exam consists of six short problems to be solved in two hours and a half. Use of texts is admitted.
Teaching tools
Blackboard, videoprojector. TEAMS virtual classroom.
Optical laboratory.
Office hours
See the website of Bruno Marano