PY3A07
Module PY3A07 Experimental Techniques for Astrophysics
Cohort: JS Physics and Astrophysics
Credits: 5
Lecturers: Professor G. Harper, Mr. J. McCauley
Duration: Hilary Term, Electronics: 14 lectures, Astrophysics Instrumentation: 14 lectures
Assesment: End of Year Exam.
Description:
Part I: Electronics: Electronic components. Power supplies. Computers and interfacing. Sensors and transducers. Control systems. Noise in electronic systems.
Part II: Astrophysical Instrumentation: Telescopes and optical instrumentation. Observational limitations, aberrations, the effects of the atmosphere. Active and adaptive optics. New technology telescopes. Optical detection techniques. Optical interferometery. Basic concepts of radio astronomy. Receiver systems and detectors. Radio interferometry. Overview of different types of telescopes and detection techniques for other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum: infrared, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma-rays.