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An in-depth course on the current developments in astronomical instrumentation and data analysis, geared towards the research and development lines in the Department of Astrophysics. Aspects discussed are the techniques used in the various research lines (and the links between them), as well as the data analysis and database parts. The course includes a practical aspect which can either be an observational field-trip assignment, and instrumentation design assignment or a data-analysis assignment. The goal of the course is that the student gets an in-depth knowledge on how current technological developments shape and facilitate (astronomical) research.
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The course is divided in 6 modules:
- Radio
- Astroparticle Physics
- Optical
- Project Management
- Data Analysis/Databasing
- Practical Assignment
Each topic is 8hrs of lecturing + 8hrs of practicals + self-study. If the practical assignment contains no course-work, the lecture part per topic can increase to 9-10hrs.
2.1 Radio
- Covers the techniques in radio used in the department, in particular the development of low-power, low-frequency antennae for LOFAR, Auger, NCLE, etc. Also includes aspects of submm techniques, relevant for EHT and AMT
2.2 Astroparticle Physics (APP)
- Techniques in Astroparticle physics, following on from the radio part, including particle detections (Cerenkov, scintillators, solid-state) and in particular dual and triple detection techniques
2.3 Optical/Infrared (Optical)
- Techniques in optical infrared, including wide-field as in MeerLICHT/BlackGEM, but also adaptive optics, and developments in spectroscopy, relevant for METIS, MOSAIC, and future ‘spectrographs on a chip’.
2.4 Project Management (PM)
- Scale of astronomical instruments has increased to a level where proper Project Management is required. Lectures cover the set-up of projects, the budget management, project phases and how to deal with external parties, among others.
2.5 Data Analysis/Databasing (DA/DB)
- We are in the era of Big Data in astronomy. Lectures will cover how `data reduction’ works, as in basic steps that are needed, and then how calibrations are applied, and information extracted. As a follow-up the use of databases is explained, and how information is extracted again from data bases, among others using free-format SQL.
2.6 Practical Assignment
Part of the course is hands-on. This can be either an active participation in an instrumentation project (Auger, NUX, RadioLab,etc.), a field-assignment (like the previous Telescope Observing), or a data analysis assignment, e.g. based on the MeerZICHT or BlackCloud databases. Supervision: on an individual basis by the most appropriate staff member.
Instructional Modes
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