Astronomy 4410 - Instrumental Methods in 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

The Fall 2009 semester of Astro 4410 will be taught by Jim Houck, Jim Cordes, and Don Barry.

Regular class Meeting Tuesdays, 9am Space Sciences Room 607
We also may meet selected Thursday mornings at 9am, as announced in class and through the class email list.

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.

Lecture and specific laboratory times for the Optical component of Astro4410 will be set by consensus at the first organizational meeting. Lab access is also available during any normal business hour upon arrangement with one of the instructors, and we encourage students to use this option.

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