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10762 - Astronomical Optics

Academic Year 2021/2022

                
                        Docente:
                        Carmela Lardo
                    
                        Credits:
                        7
                    
                        SSD:
                        FIS/05
                    
                        Language:
                        Italian
                    
                        Moduli:
                        
                            Carmela Lardo
                            (Modulo 1)
                        
                            Bruno Marano
                            (Modulo 2)
                        
                        Teaching Mode:
                        
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 1)
                                
                                    Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
                                
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            First cycle degree programme (L) in
                            Astronomy (cod. 8004)

                            Teaching resources on Virtuale

Learning outcomes

Provide the student with a 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 (introductory notes).
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.

PDF of presentations used in the lectures
Selection of problems
instruction for the lab activity

are also available on IOL: http://www.unibo.it/docenti/bruno.marano

Teaching methods

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): Assembly of optical systems on bench; related measurements (lenses, mirror, interference, diffraction).

Assessment methods

written exam;
evaluation of the lab activity report;
final oral exam.

As a general rule, the written exam consists of six short problems to be solved in two hours and a half. Use of teaching/learning material is allowed.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, videoprojector. TEAMS virtual classroom. Optical laboratory.

Office hours

See the website of Carmela Lardo

See the website of Bruno Marano