Study information

Observing the Universe - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEObserving the Universe CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHY2030 MODULE CONVENERProf Sasha Hinkley (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 84
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

In this module students will gain a basic knowledge of the universe and its contents, and good understanding of astrophysical measurement. As such it is crucial for the astrophysics project work, and when combined with the detailed understanding of stars, galaxies and cosmology obtained from the subsequent modules, PHY3070, PHY3066 and PHYM006, will provide a well-balanced grounding in astrophysics.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The specific aims of the module are to impart: a basic knowledge of the hierarchy of objects in the universe, including their structural and evolutionary relationship to each other; an understanding the underlying principles of key instrumentation used for observational astrophysics; an understanding of how we can obtain structural information and physical parameters from distant, often unresolved, objects.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
 
A student who has passed this module should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. describe the scale of various structure in the universe and explain how astrophysicists arrive at these measurements;
2. calculate the distances to various objects given suitable data;
3. quantitatively describe the basic functioning of the optical/UV/IR telescope and spectrograph, radio interferometer and other astronomical instruments;
4. calculate the signal-to-noise expected in various astronomical observing scenarios;
5. use observational data to calculate masses and radii of stars and exo-planets;
6. quantitatively describe the concepts of expanding space-time and cosmological redshift;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
7. solve mathematical problems;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
8. develop self-study skills;
9. work to deadlines.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
I. Broad Overview and Background
  1. The contents of the Universe.
  2. Celestial co-ordinate systems.
  3. Ages in the Universe (our Sun, clusters, galaxies).
  4. Broad outline of Stellar evolution.
II. Measuring the following properties.
  1. Parallax and distance to the Sun.
  2. Luminosity of stars — main-sequence distances.
  3. The temperatures of stars.
  4. The masses of stars and planets (Kepler's Laws the importance of binaries).
  5. The radii of stars and planets
III. Telescopes, Instruments and Interferometers.
  1. Statistics of photon counting instruments. Energy integrating instruments.
  2. Ideal and non-deal telescopes (angular resolution, platescales and aberrations).
  3. Classical imaging systems.
  4. Spectrographs, polarimeters and heterodyne techniques.
  5. Charge coupled devices.
  6. Interferometry & sparse apertures.
  7. Radio Astronomy, X-ray, gamma-ray astronomy.
  8. Turbulence, adaptive optics, coronographs and higher resolution.
IV. Additional topics
  1. Spectroscopy of exoplanet atmospheres.
  2. Diffuse gas.
  3. Modern instruments: SKA, JWST, SPHERE.
  4. Cosmology, the expanding universe and its evolution.
 
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 22 Guided Independent Study 128 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 20 20×1-hour lectures
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 2 2×1-hour problems/revision classes
Guided independent study 30 5×6-hour self-study packages
Guided independent study 16 4×4-hour problems sets
Guided independent study 82 Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Guided self-study (0%) 5×6-hour packages (fortnightly) 1-11 Discussion in class
4 × Problems sets (0%) 4 hours per set (fortnightly) 1-11 Solutions discussed in problems classes.
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 0 Written Exams 100 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Final Examination 100% 120 minutes (May/June assessment period) 1-9 Mark via MyExeter, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.
         
         
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Whole module Written examination (100%) 1-9 August/September assessment period

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
An original assessment that is based on both examination and coursework, tests, etc., is considered as a single element for the purpose of referral; i.e., the referred mark is based on the referred examination only, discounting all previous marks. In the event that the mark for a referred assessment is lower than that of the original assessment, the original higher mark will be retained.
 
Physics Modules with PHY Codes
Referred examinations will only be available in PHY3064, PHYM004 and those other modules for which the original assessment includes an examination component - this information is given in individual module descriptors.
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
ELE:
 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Extended Lawrence, A. Astronomical Measurement:A Concise Guide 2014 edition Springer Praxis 2013 978-3-642-39834-6
Extended Smith, R.C. Observational Astrophysics CUP 1995 0-521-27834-1
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES PHY1021, PHY1022
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 5 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 15th December 2011 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 26th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; Universes; Distances; Galaxy; Measurement; Redshifts; Evolution; Objective; Stars; Methods; Masses.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.