Astronomy 4410 - Experimental Astronomy

A hypothesis or theory is clear, desirable and positive, but it is believed by no one but the person who created it. Experimental findings, on the other hand, are messy, inexact things which are already believed by everyone except the person who did the work.
     -- Harlow Shapley, Through Rugged Ways to the Stars

Count what is countable, measure what is measurable, and what is not measurable, make measurable.
     -- attributed to Galileo Galilei

The Fall 2011 semester of Astro 4410 will be taught by Jim Cordes and Don Barry. The class will meet between 1:25-2:20 on Mondays in 607 Space Sciences. There will be occasional additional meetings from 3:30pm onwards on Mondays as well.

Astronomy 4410 introduces students to topics of observational astronomy in optical and radio wavelengths as a hands-on laboratory, using the resources of the Cornell Hartung-Boothroyd observatory and the Josephine Hopkins radio telescope atop the Space Sciences building.

Lab access is available during any normal business hour upon arrangement with one of the instructors, and we encourage students to use this option. Evening access to the Hartung-Boothroyd Observatory will be provided for students as needed to complete experimental observations for the first six weeks of the course. Daytime access to the Hopkins radio telescope will provide experimental data for the last two experiments of the semester.

It is expected that the transition to the Radio part of the course will occur after Fall Break. At that time, new lecture time periods may or may not be set, depending on students' schedules.

During laboratory hours the lab will be open and one of the instructors will be in the room or available on short notice to provide assistance. Students will be expected to schedule usage of instrumentation and computers amongst themselves so that effective use is possible -- and will also be expected to record their hours on the laboratory signup sheet.

Course Calendar

NB. All observing possibilities are weather dependent.

Course Resources:

• The Hartung Boothroyd Observatory
• The Radio Telescope atop Space Sciences
• Course Handouts
• Astro4410 Computer Access