Module Details

Module Code: PHYS7032
Title: Optical &High Energy Astronomy
Long Title: Optical & High Energy Astronomy
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4411 - Physics
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module aims to investigate techniques and instrumentation used in high precision optical astronomy and high energy multi-messenger astronomy. Production methods and sources of high energy particle emission are also investigated.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Describe the instrumentation associated with high-precision optical systems
LO2 Critically evaluate the techniques and limitations associated with high-precision optical astronomy with emphasis on the detection of extra-solar planets.
LO3 Explain the basic physical processes involving particle acceleration and associated high energy particle & electromagnetic emission.
LO4 Describe and evaluate both satellite and ground-based instrumentation associated with the detection of high energy photon and particle emission
LO5 Critically analyse and interpret data taken from a number of astronomical sources using professional freely-available software packages.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
13990 PHYS6051 Astronomy & Instrumentation
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Optical Astronomy - telescopes & detectors
Types of optical telescope. Limiting magnitudes, magnification, plate scale and fields of view. Types of optical detectors. CCD characteristics (dynamic range, linearity, read noise, hot pixels etc)
Optical Astronomy - seeing through the atmosphere
Atmospheric effects – extinction and scintillation. Filter choice and the tradeoff between photon detection and extinction effects. Photometry and the implication of field choice. Differential photometry and light curves. Imaging techniques.
Searching for Extrasolar Planets
Current status of extrasolar planet research. Comparison of different planet searching techniques and results. Requirements for designing observing programmes suitable for extrasolar planet detection.
High Energy Astronomy - detection techniques
The high energy astronomy spectrum. Satellite-based detection techniques for extreme UV, X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy. Ground-based techniques for very high energy gamma-ray astronomy. Measurement technique sensitivity and limitations.
High Energy Astrophysics
Basic physical processes involved in the production of accelerated particles and high energy electromagnetic radiation. Production mechanisms at work in a selection of galactic (X-Ray binaries, Supernova Remnants) and extra-galactic (Active Galactic Nuclei, Gamma Ray Bursts) high energy astronomical sources. Multi-messenger astronomy - Gravity waves, neutrino astronomy. Current research and future prospects for high energy astrophysics.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Examination on the principles of operation of instrumentation used for high precision optical astronomy
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Examination on the theoretical background and instrumentation associated with high energy multi-messenger astronomy
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 25
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Laboratory Work
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 25
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Group research project on some technological aspect of the module.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of module content. Every Week 3.00 3
Lab Contact Laboratory experiments in astronomy. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study of module material. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of module content. Every Week 3.00 3
Lab Contact Laboratory experiments in astronomy. Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study of module material. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Roger A. Freedman, Robert Geller, William J. Kaufmann. (2019), The Universe, Eleventh Edition. Freeman, [ISBN: 9781319248642].
  • Bradley W. Carroll; Dale A. Ostlie. (2017), Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, 1. Cambridge University Press, [ISBN: 9781108422161].
  • Malcolm S. Longair. (2012), High Energy Astrophysics, 3. Cambridge University PRess, [ISBN: 9780521756181].
  • Steve B Howell. (2006), Handbook of CCD Astronomy, 2nd. 7, Cambridge University Press, [ISBN: 0521617626].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SPHYS_7 Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Instrumentation 4 Elective
CR_SPHYS_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Applied Physics and Instrumentation 4 Elective