PAP316 - Astrophysical light scattering problems
Advanced Course, 5 credits, PAP316, Spring 2023, Period 4
Astrophysical light scattering problems provides a cross-scale journey in light scattering (electromagnetic scattering) with a particular emphasis in applications. The course starts with an introduction to the basic concepts and computational methods, whereafter experimental measurements are assessed. Various applications are introduced for planetary system objects, interstellar and circumstellar dust, and exoplanets. Students are actively involved in the interpretation of spectroscopic, photometric, and polarimetric observations as well as laboratory measurements. The interpretation takes place using both laptop and supercomputing environments.
Lecturers: Prof. Karri Muinonen, Dr. Antti Penttilä, Dr. Anne Virkki. Course assistant: Mikko Vuori.
Scope:
Timetable and contents:
Lectures are held in Physicum D116.
- March 15, Introduction to photometry and polarimetry, 10-12, AV: ,
- March 16, Introduction to spectrometry; Mercury, Venus, and Mars, 10-12, AV: , ,
- March 22, The Moon, 10-12, KM: ,
- March 23, Asteroids, 10-12, KM: , ,
- March 29, Comets, 10-12, KM: ,
- March 30, Interplanetary dust, 10-12, KM: ,
- April 5, Experiments and instrumentation — photometry, 10-12, AP: , link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaPlRhgV1vo&t=168s
- April 13, Experiments and instrumentation — polarimetry, 10-12, AP: , link to video: https://youtu.be/LVw8Q_rxda8
- April 19, Icy moons of outer planets, Saturn’s Rings, 10-12, KM:
- April 20, Transneptunian objects and Centaurs, 10-12, KM:
- April 26, Interstellar polarization, 10-12, KM:
- April 27, Exoplanets, 12-14, KM:
- May 3, Experiments and instrumentation — spectroscopy, 10-12, AP: , link to video: https://helsinkifi-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/kohout_ad_helsinki_fi/ETCnP-Ecd1hOulcQRJVkn5sBjaANCU5YGEBBYt15LsUuPQ?e=G0FBxn
- May 4, Experiments and instrumentation — samples, simulated imaging, 10-12, AP:
Exercises:
- ,
- , , SIRIS4-framework
Project:
- Relevant articles
- Relevant presentations
- 1
- Software, including basalt and feldspar scattering phase matrices
- Trigonometric polarization system, with systematic scanning of exponents
- Multiple scattering based on radiative transfer with coherent backscattering, with scattering phase matrix decomposition
- Data
- Geometric albedo p = 0.090
- p = 0.210
- p = 0.067
- p = 0.44
- p = 0.301
- p = 0.48
- p = 0.0455
- p = 0.142
- p = 0.136
- Asteroid Polarimetric Database (NASA/PDS): https://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/apd.html
- Granada-Amsterdam Light Scattering Database: https://www.iaa.csic.es/scattering/index.html
- Geometric albedo p = 0.090
- Empirical scattering phase matrices