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Observational Techniques

Code: 42866
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
High Energy Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology OP 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Josep Miquel Girart Medina
Email :
josemiguel.girart@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Jose Luis Gálvez Sánchez
Josep Miquel Girart Medina
Francesco Coti Zelati

Teaching staff (external to UAB)

Manuel Fernández López
Valentin Le Gouellec

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

No specific prerequisites are set for this course, but it is advisable to possess basic knowledge of Astronomy and Physics.

Objectives

The objective of this course is to familiarize the student with the various techniques for observations as used in Astronomy. The student will be required to comprehend basic concepts, nomenclature and unit systems that are commonly employed in astronomical work. Detection techniques and instrumentation will be described as a function of wavelength, including the entire particle and electromagnetic spectrum: neutrino astronomy, high-energy (gamma-rays and X-rays), UV-optical, near infrared and radio astronomy. For all these regimes, which use different methodologies, data reduction and analysis techniques will be covered. The final goal is that the student acquires sufficient basic knowledge to be able to plan, execute and analyze observations in all branches of Astronomy thus enabling him/her to perform scientific research. We take into account the role of women in the development of the observational techniques in astronomy.

Learning outcomes

  • CA07 (Plan an optical observation of a series of astronomical objects.) Plan an optical observation of a series of astronomical objects.
  • KA09 (Identify the basis of astronomical observations.) Identify the basis of astronomical observations.
  • KA10 (Identify the basis of optical and infrared astronomy.) Identify the basis of optical and infrared astronomy.
  • SA19 (Apply the principles of electromagnetic wave detection to the study and conceptual design of telescopes and cameras at different wavelengths.) Apply the principles of electromagnetic wave detection to the study and conceptual design of telescopes and cameras at different wavelengths.
  • SA20 (Apply the principles of electromagnetic wave detection to the study and conceptual design of radio interferometers.) Apply the principles of electromagnetic wave detection to the study and conceptual design of radio interferometers.
  • SA21 (To analyse comparatively the different observational techniques (optical astronomy, radio astronomy, etc.).) To analyse comparatively the different observational techniques (optical astronomy, radio astronomy, etc.).
  • SA22 (Use specialized bibliographic sources, scientific articles and digital resources in English to deepen the concepts of radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, X and gamma astronomy and their observational techniques.) Use specialized bibliographic sources, scientific articles and digital resources in English to deepen the concepts of radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, X and gamma astronomy and their observational techniques.

Contents





Basic concepts of astronomy (atmospheric windows, position astronomy, magnitude systems)


Solar observation


UV, optical and infrared astronomy:

  • Telescopes: optical and mechanical designs, adaptive optics, observation planning
  • Detectors: CCDs, near IR detectors
  • Reduction of astronomical images
  • Photometry and photometric systems
  • Spectroscopy


High-energy astrophysics:

  • Detection principles
  • Instrumentation
  • Data analysis


Radioastronomy:

  • Detection principles
  • Radiointerferometry
  • Data analysis


Neutrino Astronomy:

  • Detection principles






Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Practical labs 7 0.28
Theory lectures 38 1.52
Discussion, team work 38 1.52
Homework 28 1.12
Practical labs 7 0.28

Theory lectures and exercises.

Classwork and homework.

Preparation of an essay for oral presentation and preparation of lab reports.


Praties in observational astronomy:

(1) Laboratory of High Energy,

(2) Simulations of ALMA observations (radio telescope of aperture synthesis)

(3) Observations at the Observatori Astronòmic del Montsec

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Written report on practical lab on X-ray astrophysics 13% 3.3 0.132 SA19, SA22
Written report on practical lab on optical observations. 13% 3.4 0.136 CA07, KA09, KA10, SA22
Written report of a topical essay 20 % 12 0.48 CA07, KA09, KA10, SA20, SA21, SA22
Written report on practical lab radiastronomy 13% 3.3 0.132 CA07, KA09, SA20, SA21, SA22
Oral presentation and discussion of a topical essay 30% 4 0.16 CA07, KA09, KA10, SA19, SA21, SA22
Data mining: GAIA DR3 catalogue 11% 3 0.12 CA07, SA22
Resit Essay and Presentation 50% 3 0.12 CA07, KA09, KA10, SA20, SA21, SA22

The evaluation is composed of an oral presentation and discussion of a topical essay with 30 % weight (individual), a written report of a topical essay with 20 % weight (individual), and the reports from three practical labs on data reduction and analysis with 13% weight each (in small groups or individual), and a report of an Astronomical Data Mining exercise. (11%)

There will be a resit exam for those who fail the course.


This subject/module does not foresee the single assessment system.


Artificial Intelligence (AI): Permitted use: In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution by the student in the analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.

Bibliography

  • Astrophysical Techniques (CRC Press), C.R. Kitchin, 2013 (6th ed)
  • The Design and Construction of Large Optical Telescopes (Springer), Pierre Y. Bely (editor), 2002
  • The Sun. An introduction (Springer), Michael Stix, 2002
  • Observational Astrophysics (Springer), Pierre Léna et al., 2012 (3rd ed)
  • Handbook of CCD Astronomy (Cambridge), Steve B. Howell, 2006
  • Handbook of Infrared Astronomy (Cambridge), I.S. Glass, 1999
  • Observational Astronomy: Techniques and Instrumentation (Cambridge), Edmund C. Sutton, 2011
  • Radiation Detection and Measurement (Wiley), Glenn F. Knoll, 2010 (4th ed)
  • High Energy Astrophysics (Cambridge), Malcom S. Longair, 2011 (3rd ed)
  • Exploring the X-ray Universe (Cambridge), Philip A. Charles, Frederick D. Seward, 2010 (2nd ed)
  • Lectures on Neutrino Astronomy: Theory and Experiment (Lectures presented at the TASI School), Francis Halzen, 1998 (arXiv:astro-ph/9810368v1)
  • Tools of Radio Astronomy (A&A Library, Springer), Kirsten Rohlfs, Thomas L. Wilson, 2009 (5th ed)
  • Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy (Wiley), A.R. Thompson, J.M. Moran, G.W. Swenson Jr., 2001 (2nd ed)
  • An introduction to Radio Astronomy (Cambridge). Bernard F. Burke, Francis Graham-Smith, 2009 (3rd ed)

Software

Preferred working environment (highly recommended): Linux or Mac OS

Software: CARTA, or similar than can read and analyze FITS images

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TEm) Theory (master) 1 English first semester morning-mixed