Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca
Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Study Cycle: Master

SUBJECT

Code
Subject
MMM1005 Observational Astronomy
Section
Semester
Hours: C+S+L
Category
Type
Applied Mathematics
4
2+2+0
speciality
optional
Teaching Staff in Charge
Assoc.Prof. BLAGA Cristina Olivia, Ph.D.,  cpblagamath.ubbcluj.ro
Aims
The aim of the course is the acquirement of the modern methods in which the celestial objects radiation is or it was recorded and processed, about the tendencies in the observational astronomy, through presentation of the instruments used and spatial missions dedicated to gather information about different celestial bodies.
Content
I. Nature of light. Light as electromagnetic wave. Energetic and photometric quantities.
II. Elements of geometrical optics.
1. Principles of the geometrical optics. Ideal optical systems. Cardinal elements of the ideal optical systems.
2. Spherical diopters. Spherical mirror. Eyepieces. Lenses. Optical prism.
3. Optical instruments used in Astronomy (refracting and reflecting telescopes, transit instrument, meridian circle, theodolite, coelostat and horizontal telescope). Instrumental mounting.
III. Astronomical spectroscopy.
4. Formation of the specters of chemical elements and their compounds.
5. Spectroscopes with optical prism or diffraction grating.
VI. Observations in other spectral ranges (gamma rays, Roentgen, ultraviolet and infrared). Radioastronomy.
V. Astronomy of other forms of energy (cosmic rays, neutrinos, gravitational waves).
VI. Astronomical photometry.
6. Radiation detectors and filters for the visible domain.
7. Photometric systems. Atmospheric extinction.
8. Some applications of the UBV photometry.
References
BIRNEY S.D.: Observational Astronomy, Cambridge University Press, 1991.
2. BURKE B.F., GRAHAM-SMITH F.: An Introduction to Radioastronomy, Cambridge University Press, 1997.
3. LENA P., LEBRUN F., MIGNARD F.: Observational Astrophysics, Springer, 1996.
4. MARAN S. (ed.): The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia, Van Nostrand Reinhold& Cambridge University Press, 1992.
5. MURDIN P.(ed.): Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Nature Publishing Group& Institute of Physics Publishing, 2001.
6. POP V., BLAGA C.: Astronomie observationala, Editura Risoprint, Cluj-Napoca, 2005.
7. STERKEN C., MANFROID J.: Astronomical Photometry, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1992.
8. URECHE V.: Universul, Astrofizica, vol. II, Editura Dacia, Cluj-Napoca, 1985.
Assessment
The mark is a weighted mean between the mark obtained for the activity during the semester (50%) and the mark obtained at the written exam at the end of semester (50%). For the evaluation of the activity during the semester we will take into account the active participation of the students to the didactical activities (25%) and the implementation of their assignments (25%).
Links: Syllabus for all subjects
Romanian version for this subject
Rtf format for this subject