Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students will be able to:
- formulate a hypothesis to be tested, based on a thorough review of the relevant literature
- construct a night observing plan, including target selection based on source visibility and lunar constraints
- demonstrate proficiency and practical skill in all aspects of telescope operation, including flat-field and other calibration measurements, focussing, data acquisition and image quality assessment
- navigate their way around the night-sky using celestial co-ordinates
- collaborate with others to solve problems under time pressure
- write software pipelines in a suitable language (e.g. Python) for the reduction, calibration and analysis of data taken at the telescope
- interpret the results of observations and make quantitative, robust statements about outcomes, including uncertainties
- present scientific results comprehensively and fluently, orally and in writing
Indicative Module Content:
Literature review of an astronomical topic
Development of software tools for astronomical data analysis
Research project