An Introduction to Observational Astrophysics / Edition 2

by Mark Gallaway

Overview

The observational component of astronomy is an exciting and vital part of any astrophysics degree. With the advent of low-cost astronomical cameras and remote and robotic operation, more students than ever have the opportunity to observe and perform observatory research.

This updated and fully corrected textbook provides a comprehensive overview of practical observing techniques for undergraduate astrophysics courses. The chapters introduce students to the basics of the field before delving into telescope types, the nature and operation of the astronomical camera, imaging techniques and reduction, photometry and spectrography, and solar and radio observations.

The second edition covers the latest research on calibrating the telescope-camera-observatory system. It contains revised information on all available astronomy equipment, including filters, webcams, sensors, and telescope designs. Also included is an entirely new chapter on exoplanet transit measurements. The textbook’s practical approach will guide readers from basic first-year techniques to those required for a final-year project.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030435509
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	05/07/2020
Series:	Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics
Edition description:	Second Edition 2020
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Mark Gallaway holds an undergraduate honors degree in Physical Science from the Open University and a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Hertfordshire, UK (one of the largest astrophysics research groups in the UK). He has taught observational astrophysics at the University of Hertfordshire’s Bayfordbury Observatory (the largest such observatory in the UK and one of the largest robotic observatories in Europe) for three years, continuing to do so after he became the Observatory Manager in 2011.

During his current tenure Dr. Gallaway has overseen both a large increase in student numbers and a refocusing of the observatory to one of the UK’s leading small telescope research facilities. He is currently the PI of the Bayfordbury Supernova Search program, the Bayfordbury SuperWasp CV (Cataclysmic Variable) Follow-up program and the Bayfordbury NEO (Near Earth Object) Search. Dr. Gallaway is also a lead member of the M-Dwarf transit survey.

He regularly appears onthe BBC and other UK national broadcasters both as an expert. Furthermore, Dr. Gallaway has consulted on a number of general science programs in including the BBC documentary “How Satellites Rule Our Lives” and the series “How dangerous is….?”

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction.- Chapter 2 The Nature of Light.- Chapter 3 The Telescope.- Chapter 4 Time.- Chapter 5 Spheres and Coordinates.- Chapter 6 Catalogues and Constellations.- Chapter 7 The Astronomical Detector.- Chapter 8 Imaging.- Chapter 9 Image Reduction and Processing.- Chapter 10 Photometry.- Chapter 11 High Precision Differential Photometry.- Chapter 12 Solar Astronomy.- Chapter 13 Spectrography.- Chapter 14 Astrometry.- Glossary.- Index.

Editorial Reviews

It is excellent, and its breadth of coverage is laudable. I would recommend it to undergraduate students and amateur astronomers … .” (John Southworth, The Observatory, Vol. 141 (1282), June, 2021)

From the Publisher