Instructor:

Dr. Bryan E. Penprase

Pomona College Department of Physics and Astronomy
Millikan 126
bpenprase@pomona.edu
621-8727

Lab Instructor:

Dr. Phillip Choi

Pomona College Department of Physics and Astronomy
Millikan 120
Philip.Choi@pomona.edu
607-0890

Astronomy 101

Observational Astronomy

Fall 2007

Pomona College

Andromeda Galaxy

For in the study of nature we must not conform to empty assumptions and arbitrary laws, but follow the prompting of facts; for our life has no need now of unreason and false opinion; our need is one of untroubled existence... Some phenomena within our experience afford evidence by which we may interpret what goes on in the heavens"

Epicurus, (342-270 B.C)

Course Materials

(Here are some useful course materials, and images of modern observatories).

Syllabus for Class
Outline of Observing, Reading Assignments and Class Topics

First Assignment
Logarithmic Maps of the Universe
Keck Observatory views of the Galactic Center (from Andrea Ghez, UCLA)

First Lab - Wide Field Imaging and TMO Cassegrain imaging for WCS

Gemini Galactic Center and other Archive images

Second Assignment in PDF format : assignment 2

Modern Telescopes

Gamma Ray Burst Afterglow Compendium Page (Useful for class GRB afterglow work!)

Images of the Keck Telescopes (exterior)
Images of the Keck Telescopes (interior)
Results from the Keck Telescope
Images of the Gemini Telescopes
Images of the Suburu Telescope
Images of the European VLT Telescope in Chile
Images of the Chandra X-ray Telescope
Images of the SIRTF telescope
Mt. Palomar Observatory (including maps to the site)
Palomar 200" telescope instruments

Sky Survey Information
(Here are some useful links and information relevant to sky surveys).

Sky Survey Information - esp. 2MASS (courtesy of Dr. Tom Jarrett)
Sloan Digital Sky Survey information
Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescope image
The VLA FIRST Survey
POSS II Information
Skyview -- All Sky images in all wavelengths!
The Space Telescope Digital Sky Survey - (acquires optical images of any part in the sky)
Hipparchos Information
Skyview - an all purpose all sky multispectral viewing system
Infrared Science Archive - One stop shopping for all your infrared observing needs
High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC)
STScI Digitized Sky Survey

Vendor Links
(Here are some useful links and information which are valuable for finding out more about the instruments used in our class)

Santa Barbara Instrument Group Web site
Photometrics, Inc. web site
Apogee CCD camera web site

Observing Links of Interest
(Here are some links which may be useful at the telescope

NED -- The NASA Extragalactic Database
SIMBAD -- The stellar database with everything known on any star
SEDS Messier Gallery
SEDS NGC Catalog Online

NEWS ITEMS relevant to the class: