"Observational Astronomy on Mauna Kea"

Instructor: Colin Aspin - Institute for Astronomy, Hilo

Our proximity to Mauna Kea and its Observatories allows us a unique  
perspective into observational astronomy.  This course will  
investigate the use of the Mauna Kea facilities and will cover
observing at all wavelengths from optical through infrared to radio.  
Emphasis will be placed on the particular strengths of each telescope  
and take students through the whole process of observing from  
application preparation to data acquisition, and onto data reduction  
and analysis.

The following specific topics will be discussed:

* Mauna Kea and Astronomy, an historical and cultural perspective
* Observing at optical wavelengths
* Observing in the near-infrared
* Mid-infrared observing techniques
* Sub-mm/mm observing
* Observing Proposal preparation
* Scientific writing
* Observation planning
* What happens on observing runs
* Data acquisition
* Data reduction - from raw to processed data
* Data analysis - extracting science from your data

Students will learn to use specific software tools provided by the  
observatories, the basics of the important astronomical software  
package IRAF, together with use of other tools for both observation  
reduction and visualization.

The course will include site visits to Observatory facilities  
including one or more Mauna Kea visits to see nighttime observing.  
Some time will be made available on the UH 2.2m telescope
for specific student projects.

For evaluation, students will be required to participate in i)  
numerous quizzes/tests, ii) several written exercises, iii) observing  
proposal writing, iv) project work, and v) oral presentations to the  
class.  A mid-term and final exam/paper will be required.

Lectures will be 2 hours each, once per semester week.

Location of class: IfA Manoa, C-221