To Measure the Sky: An Introduction to Observational Astronomy

by Frederick R. Chromey

• ISBN13: 9780521747684
• ISBN10: 0521747686
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-07-05
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

With a lively yet rigorous and quantitative approach, Frederick R. Chromey introduces the fundamental topics in optical observational astronomy for undergraduates. Focussing on the basic principles of light detection, telescope optics, coordinate systems and data analysis, students are introduced to modern astronomical observation techniques and measurements. Cutting-edge technologies such as advanced CCD detectors and adaptive optics are presented through the physical principles on which they are based, helping students understand the power of modern space and ground-based telescopes, and the motivations and limitations of future development. Discussion of statistics and measurement uncertainty enables students to confront the important questions of data quality. With a purposeful structure and clear approach, this is an essential resource for all students of observational astronomy. It explains the theoretical foundations for observational practices and reviews essential physics to support students' mastery of the subject. Student understanding is strengthened through over 120 exercises and problems.

Author Biography

Frederick R. Chromey is Professor of Astronomy on the Matthew Vassar Junior Chair at Vassar College, and Director of the Vassar College Observatory. He has almost 40 years' experience in observational astronomy research in the optical, radio and near infrared on stars, gaseous nebulae and galaxies, and has taught astronomy to undergraduates for 35 years at Brooklyn College and Vassar.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Light	p. 1
The story	p. 1
The evidence: astronomical data	p. 3
Models for the behavior of light	p. 6
Measurements of light rays	p. 13
Spectra	p. 16
Magnitudes	p. 26
Summary	p. 31
Exercises	p. 32
Uncertainty	p. 35
Accuracy and precision	p. 35
Populations and samples	p. 41
Probability distributions	p. 47
Estimating uncertainty	p. 51
Propagation of uncertainty	p. 53
Additional topics	p. 56
Summary	p. 56
Exercises	p. 57
Place, time, and motion	p. 60
Astronomical coordinate systems	p. 61
The third dimension	p. 77
Time	p. 83
Motion	p. 88
Summary	p. 93
Exercises	p. 95
Names, catalogs, and databases	p. 98
Star names	p. 99
Names and catalogs of non-stellar objects outside the Solar System	p. 108
Objects at non-optical wavelengths	p. 112
Atlases and finding charts	p. 112
Websites and other computer resources	p. 114
Solar System objects	p. 114
Summary	p. 116
Exercises	p. 117
Optics for astronomy	p. 118
Principles of geometric optics	p. 118
Lenses, mirrors, and simple optical elements	p. 127
Simple telescopes	p. 135
Image quality: telescopic resolution	p. 137
Aberrations	p. 143
Summary	p. 154
Exercises	p. 155
Astronomical telescopes	p. 157
Telescope mounts and drives	p. 157
Reflecting telescope optics	p. 160
Telescopes in space	p. 168
Ground-based telescopes	p. 175
Adaptive optics	p. 180
The next stage: ELTs and advanced AO	p. 190
Summary	p. 192
Exercises	p. 193
Matter and light	p. 196
Isolated atoms	p. 196
Isolated molecules	p. 204
Solid-state crystals	p. 205
Photoconductors	p. 218
The MOS capacitor	p. 219
The p--n junction	p. 221
The vacuum photoelectric effect	p. 227
Superconductivity	p. 229
Summary	p. 232
Exercises	p. 233
Detectors	p. 235
Detector characterization	p. 236
The CCD	p. 243
Photo-emissive devices	p. 260
Infrared arrays	p. 265
Thermal detectors	p. 269
Summary	p. 272
Exercises	p. 273
Digital images from arrays	p. 275
Arrays	p. 275
Digital image manipulation	p. 281
Preprocessing array data: bias, linearity, dark, flat, and fringe	p. 286
Combining images	p. 297
Digital aperture photometry	p. 309
Summary	p. 320
Exercises	p. 321
Photometry	p. 323
Introduction: a short history	p. 323
The response function	p. 326
The idea of a photometric system	p. 336
Common photometric systems	p. 337
From source to telescope	p. 344
The atmosphere	p. 350
Transformation to a standard system	p. 360
Summary	p. 363
Exercises	p. 364
Spectrometers	p. 368
Dispersive spectrometry	p. 369
Dispersing optical elements	p. 371
Spectrometers without slits	p. 380
Basic slit and fiber spectrometers	p. 382
Spectrometer design for astronomy	p. 385
Spectrometric data	p. 393
Interpreting spectra	p. 399
Summary	p. 402
Exercises	p. 404
Appendices	p. 407
References	p. 437
Index	p. 441
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.