AST 210 OBSERVATIONAL TECHNIQUES

A laboratory course introducing basic observational, computing, and data analysis techniques in current use in optical astronomy. Lecture focuses on observation planning, instrumentation properties and use, and methods of analyzing observations. Observatory work involves advanced telescopic observing, use of the 20-inch telescope and CCD camera, and conducting CCD filter photometry on various celestial targets of opportunity. Computer work involves CCD image calibration and manipulation, plus the extraction of useful physical information from CCD images and visual observations using a variety of software packages