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| Module Availability |
| Semester 2 |
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| Assessment Pattern |
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Unit(s) of Assessment
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Weighting Towards Module Mark( %)
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Problem Sheets
Individual Seminars on Telescopes/Instruments
Presentations on Science requirements
Presentations on Detector selection
Report on detector selection
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20
10
15
20
35
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Part-time Students:
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Same as for full-time students
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Qualifying Condition(s)
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| Module Overview |
The module addresses the detector technology required for Astronomical research.
This module is taught at the University of Sussex.
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
Students should normally have an undergraduate degree in Physics or Mathematics
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| Module Aims |
Specific aims are to provide students with:
(i) An overview of instrumentation and detectors
(ii) An overview of some of the topical cutting edge questions in the field
(iii) An appreciation of how scientific requirements translate to instrument/detector
requirements and design
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| Learning Outcomes |
After successfully completing the module, the students will be able to:
(i) Display a basic understanding of detectors in astronomy
(ii) Display communication skills
(iii) Distil technological requirements from scientific drivers
(iv) Make informed choice of detector for given application with justification
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| Module Content |
1. A crash course in Astronomy and Astrophysics (6hrs + directed reading)
(i) Fluxes, luminosities, magnitudes, etc.
(ii) Radiation processes, black bodies, spectra
(iii) Stars
(iv) Galaxies
(v) Planets
(vi) Cosmology
(vii) Key questions
(viii) Key requirements
2. Telescopes & Instruments (3 hours student led seminars – from reading)
(i) Optical telescopes
(ii) Interferometry
(iii) Cameras
(iv) Spectroscopy
(v) Astronomy beyond the e/m spectrum
3. Detectors by wavelength (6 hours taught & 3 hours seminars)
(i) Gamma
(ii) X-ray
(iii) UV
(iv) Optical
(v) NIR
(vi) Mid-IR
(vii) FIR
(vii) Sub-mm
(ix) Radio
4. Detector selection for a future space mission X (4X3 hours)
(i) Scientific motivation and requirements
(ii) Detector options
(iii) External Constraints, financial, risk, etc.
(iv) Detector selection
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
Lectures: 12 hours of formal lectures, 6 hours of student led seminars, 12 hours of problem based learning activity
Private study of specified topics
The module is 100% coursework assessed, based on open-book problem sheets, seminar presentations, and a written report. |
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
1. Detection of Light: Rieke
2. Fundamental Astronomy: Karttunen
3. Handbook of CCD astronomy: Howell
4. Handbook of Infrared astronomy: Glass
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| Last Updated |
17th December 2010 |
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