PAP310 Radio astronomy

1. Course title

Radiotähtitiede
Radioastronomie
Radio astronomy

2. Course code

PAP310

Aikaisemmat leikkaavat opintojaksot 53854 Radiotähtitiede, 5 op

3. Course status: optional

-Which degree programme is responsible for the course?
Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences

-Which module does the course belong to?
PAP300 Advanced Studies in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences (optional for Study Track in Astrophysical Sciences)

-Is the course available to students from other degree programmes?
Yes

4. Course level (first-, second-, third-cycle/EQF levels 6, 7 and 8)

Master’s level, degree programmes in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine = secondcycle
degree/EQF level 7
Doctoral level = third-cycle (doctoral) degree/EQF level 8

-Does the course belong to basic, intermediate or advanced studies (cf. Government Decree
on University Degrees)?
Advanced studies

5. Recommended time/stage of studies for completion

The course can be taken in the first or the second year (it is lectured every other year).

6. Term/teaching period when the course will be offered

The course will be offered in the spring term, in III period. The course is lectured every other year.

7. Scope of the course in credits

5 cr

8. Teacher coordinating the course

Mika Juvela

9. Course learning outcomes

You will know the different types of radio telescopes and the instruments used at radio wavelengths. You are able to plan radioastronomical observations and to write professional observing time proposals. You are able to reduce data both from single dish telescopes and from interferometers. You are able to use radioastronomical data to measure physical properties of astronomical targets.

10. Course completion methods

Exercises and final project work. The final project will include the reduction of actual radioastronomical data, its analysis and the derivation of basic physical properties of the observed target.

11. Prerequisites

Basic course of observational astronomy II (Havaitsevan tähtitieteen peruskurssi II). Basic course of astrophysics (Astrofysiikan peruskurssi) is strongly recommended.

12. Recommended optional studies

Radiative transfer, Interstellar medium

13. Course content

• Radio telescopes, receivers and spectrometers
• Radiation quantities in radio astronomy
• Radio interferometers
• Observing time proposals
• Reduction of continuum observations
• Reduction of spectral line data
• Reduction of interferometric observations
• Derivation of physical parameters from continuum observations
• Derivation of physical parameters from line observations

14. Recommended and required literature

• Lecture notes.
• Rohlfs: Tools of Radio Astronomy
• Selected research articles (links will be provided on the course web page)-

15. Activities and teaching methods in support of learning

Weekly lectures and exercises (individual work) and a final project (individual). Total hours 130.

16. Assessment practices and criteria, grading scale

Final grade is based on the exercises (50%) and the final programming project (50%).

17. Teaching language

English