PHY2029 : Introduction to Observational Astronomy
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Dr Anne Archibald
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
To introduce the students to the basics of modern observational astronomy, the tools for analysing data and an understanding of the science that can be obtained from it.
Module summary
The course will be based around two assignments, each following a published research paper. The students will be taught the tools necessary to replicate the essential data analysis and the science needed to understand and explain the implications of the results.
Outline Of Syllabus
The assignments will be focused on pulsars, using the technique of pulsar timing to understand the rotation of a young pulsar, and using the classic technique of parallax to measure the distance to a millisecond pulsar. Both measurements make possible further scientific conclusions, which the students will understand and explain.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Formal Lectures – Present in Person |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Revision Lectures – Present in Person |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 37 | 1:00 | 37:00 | Completion of in course assignments/ examination revision |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 41 | 1:00 | 41:00 | Preparation time for lectures, background reading, coursework review |
Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Written exercise | 2 | M | 10 | Code exercises. Incremental through the term, on line |
Written exercise | 2 | M | 45 | Data analysis problem solving and interpretation |
Written exercise | 2 | M | 45 | Data analysis problem solving and interpretation |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The two assignments allow the students to demonstrate their mastery of the techniques for analyzing real astrophysical data and understanding the science that comes from it. The online computer exercises serve to ensure that students have the expertise working with the tools so that in the primary assignments they can focus on the science.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHY2029's Timetable