| Description |
1 online resource : illustrations |
| Contents |
Part I. Tools of the Astronomer-- ch. 1. A Review of Mathematical Concepts and Tools -- Introduction -- Scientific Notation -- Significant Figures -- Order of Magnitude Calculations -- Conversion of Units -- Calculation of Errors -- Percentage Errors -- Propagation of Errors -- Mean and Standard Deviation -- Angular Measurement -- Scale Factors -- Julian Dates -- The Method of Least Squares -- Galaxies Collide!: The Impact of the Milky Way -- and Andromeda Galaxies -- M. Mathematical Concepts Experiment Exercises-- ch. 2. A Review of Graphing Techniques -- Introduction -- Graphing Technique -- Analysis of Graphs -- Slopes and Y-Intercepts of Straight-Line Graphs -- Interpolation -- Extrapolation -- Error Estimates from Graphical Representation of Data -- Examples of Well-Constructed Graphs -- Alien Beacons -- The Microwave Phase Effect of the Planet Mercury -- Graphing Techniques Experiment Exercises-- ch. 3 The Optics of Telescopes: Part I. Image Size and Brightness -- Introduction -- Theory -- Telescope Characteristics -- Telescope Relationships -- Properties of an Image |
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Ray Tracing -- Procedure and Observations -- Equipment -- Image Size: Effect of Objective Focal Length -- Image Brightness: Effect of Collecting Area and Focal Length -- Calculations and Analysis -- Image Size: Effect of Objective Focal Length -- Image Brightness: Effect of Collecting Area and Focal Length -- Telescope Optics Experiment I Data Sheets -- Image Size -- Image Brightness -- Telescope Optics Experiment I Discussion Questions-- ch. 4. The Optics of Telescopes: Part II. Magnification and Chromatic Aberration -- Introduction -- Theory: Chromatic Aberration -- Procedure and Observations -- Magnification: Objective and Eyepiece Focal Lengths -- Chromatic Aberration -- Calculations and Analysis -- Magnification: Objective and Eyepiece Focal Lengths -- Chromatic Aberration -- Telescope Optics Experiment II Data Sheets -- Magnification -- Chromatic Aberration -- Telescope Optics Experiment II Discussion Questions-- Part II. The Solar System -- Introduction-- ch. 5. Earth: The Seasons and Local Latitude -- Introduction -- Theory: The Celestial Sphere and Zenith Angle Equation |
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Procedure and Observations -- Calculations and Analysis -- Seasons and Local Latitude Experiment Data Sheets -- Seasons and Local Latitude Experiment Discussion Questions-- ch. 6. The Surface Roughness of the Moon. Reflection and Scattering from a Planetary Surface: Part I. Surface Materials -- Introduction -- Theory -- Reflection -- Scattering -- Geometry of the Reflection -- The Polarization of Light -- Procedure and Observations -- Equipment -- Observations -- Calculations and Analysis -- Degree of Polarization -- Geometrical Correction Factor -- Analysis -- Surface Roughness Experiment I Data Sheets -- Surface Roughness Experiment Discussion Questions-- ch. 7. The Surface Roughness of the Moon. Reflection and Scattering from a Planetary Surface: Part II. Beads and Surface Coverage -- Introduction -- Theory: Glass Beads on the Lunar Surface -- Procedure and Observations -- Particle Sizes -- Glass Bead Enhancement -- Calculations and Analysis -- Coefficients of Roughness -- Bead Reflection Enhancement -- Bead Surface Coverage on the Lunar Surface |
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Surface Roughness Experiment II Data Sheets -- Surface Roughness Experiment Discussion Questions-- ch. 8 The Formation of Impact Craters -- Introduction -- Theory -- Impact Energy -- Mathematical Model of Crater Formation -- Measurable Crater Parameters -- Procedure and Observations -- Calculations and Analysis -- Formation of Impact Craters Experiment Data Sheet -- Formation of Impact Craters Experiment Discussion Questions-- ch. 9 Determination of the Rotation Rate of Planets and Asteroids by Radar: Part I. Observations of Mercury -- Introduction -- Theory -- Red Shifts and Blue Shifts -- Doppler Shifts for Rotating Objects -- Range-Doppler Radar Mapping -- Radar Systems -- Procedure and Observations: Radar Observations of Mercury -- Calculations and Analysis -- Rotation Rate by Radar Experiment I Data Sheets -- Rotation Rate by Radar Experiment I Discussion Questions-- ch. 10 Determination of the Rotation Rate of Planets and Asteroids by Radar: Part II. Observations of Simulated Planets -- Introduction -- Theory -- Our Rotating Planets -- Radar System Conversion of Microwave to Audio Frequencies |
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Procedure and Observations -- Simulated Planet Surface Material -- Record Player Turntable: The Planetary Rotation -- The Radar System -- Spectrum Analyzer Software -- Calibration of the Radar System and Background Noise -- Positioning the Radar System -- Observations of Simulated Planets -- Calculations and Analysis -- The Soil Samples -- System Calibration -- Echo Intensities -- Rotational Velocities -- Rotation Rate by Radar Experiment II Data Sheets -- Soil Material -- System Calibration -- Echo Intensities -- Rotational Velocities -- Rotation Rate by Radar Experiment II Discussion Questions-- ch. 11 The Orbit of Venus -- Introduction -- Theory: Interpretations of the Orbit of Venus -- The Ptolemaic System -- The Simplicity of the Heliocentric Model -- The Configurations of the Interior Planets -- Determination of the Distance of Venus -- Determination of the Orbital Period by Kepler's Second Law -- Procedure and Observations -- Observing Venus -- Reticulated Eyepieces for Observations -- Calibration of the Telescope Field of View -- The Observations -- Calculations and Analysis |
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Calibration of the Telescope Field of View -- Telescope Magnification -- The Orbit of Venus -- The Orbital Period -- Venus Experiment Data Sheets -- Calibration of the Telescope Eyepiece -- Telescope Magnification -- Venus Experiment Discussion Questions-- ch. 12. Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion -- Introduction -- Theory -- Kepler's Laws -- Comets and Kepler's Second Law -- Procedure and Observations -- Calculations and Analysis -- Kepler's First Law -- Kepler's Second Law -- Kepler's Third Law -- Kepler's Laws Experiment Data Sheets -- Kepler's First Law -- Kepler's Second Law -- Kepler's Third Law -- Kepler's Laws Experiment Discussion Questions-- ch. 13. The Galilean Satellites of Jupiter -- Introduction -- Theory: The General Form of Kepler's Third Law -- Procedure and Observations -- Calculations and Analysis -- The Complications -- Date of the Observation -- Determination of the Orbit -- Error Analysis -- Galilean Satellites Experiment Data Sheet -- Galilean Satellites Experiment Discussion Questions-- |
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ch. 14. Thermal Radiation from a Planetary Subsurface: Part I. Calibration and Initial Measurements -- Introduction -- Theory -- Planetary Heat Balance -- Insolation -- Radio Telescopes: Beam Patterns -- Radio Telescopes: Bandwidths -- Radio Telescopes: Radio Astronomy Targets -- Procedure and Observations -- The Soil Samples -- The Incandescent Light Bulbs and Sand Boxes -- The Radiometer -- Sand Box Dimensions -- Radiometer Calibration: Use of Water Baths -- Radiometer Calibration: The Procedure -- "Nighttime" Soil Sample Measurements -- "Nighttime" Temperature Measurements -- Calculations and Analysis -- The Soil Sample -- Radiometer Calibration -- Soil Sample Observations and Gain Variations -- "Nighttime" Temperature Measurements -- Planetary Subsurface Experiment I Data Sheet -- Soil Samples -- Calibration Data -- "Nighttime" Soil Sample Observations -- "Nightime" Temperature Measurements -- Planetary Subsurface Experiment I Discussion Questions-- ch. 15. Thermal Radiation from a Planetary Subsurface: Part II. Soil Sample Measurements -- Introduction -- Theory -- Procedure and Observations |
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The Incandescent Light Bulbs -- Radiometer Calibration -- Heated Soil Sample Measurements -- Calculations and Analysis -- Calibration and Gain Variation -- Heat Penetration Graphs -- Temperature Profile Graphs -- Effective Depth Graphs -- Diffusion Depths -- Planetary Subsurface Experiment II Data Sheets -- Planetary Subsurface Experiment II Discussion Questions-- ch. 16. The Microwave Phase Effect of the Moon -- Introduction -- Theory -- Thermal Diffusivity of the Lunar Subsurface Material -- Microwave Phase Effect of the Moon -- Lunar Eclipses -- Measuring the Temperature of a Celestial Source -- The Brightness of the Sky at 11 GHZ -- Measuring the Sky Brightness -- Procedure and Observations -- The Telescope -- The Optical Guide -- Avoiding Interfering Signals -- Microwave Phase Effect: Calibration -- Microwave Phase Effect: Observations of the Moon -- Lunar Eclipses -- Data Reduction and Analysis -- Radiometer Calibration -- Graph of the Microwave Phase Effect -- Graph of the Lunar Eclipse -- Data Sheet -- Microwave Phase Effect -- LUNAR ECLIPSE -- Discussion Questions for Microwave Phase Effect of the Moon -- Part III. Measuring the Stars and Beyond Introduction-- |
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ch. 17 Blackbody Radiation -- Introduction -- Theory -- Blackbody Relationships -- Ohm's Law -- Color Filters -- The Effective Temperature of the Sun -- Procedure and Observations -- The Sun -- Incandescent Light Bulb -- Analysis and Calculations -- The Sun -- Incandescent Light Bulb -- Blackbody Radiation Experiment Data Sheet -- The Sun -- Incandescent Light Bulb -- Blackbody Radiation Experiment Discussion Questions-- ch. 18. The Surface Temperature and Energy Output of the Sun -- Introduction -- Theory -- Solar Energy Output and Lifetime -- Relationship Between Surface Temperature and Luminosity of a Star -- Specific Heat Capacity -- Sun Elevation Correction -- Procedure and Observations -- Measurement by Heating of Water -- Measurement by Solar Cells -- Calculations and Analysis -- Measurement by Heating of Water -- Measurement by Solar Cells -- Experimental Errors -- Energy Output of the Sun Experiment Data Sheets -- Water Heating -- Solar Cell -- Experimental Errors -- Energy Output of the Sun Experiment Discussion Questions-- ch. 19. The Theory of Atomic Spectra -- Introduction -- Theory -- Atomic Spectra -- The Bohr Atom |
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Hydrogen Energy-Level Diagram -- Procedure and Observations -- Equipment -- Observations -- Calculations and Analysis -- Determination of the Wavelength from the Angular Displacements -- The Value of the Rydberg Constant -- Atomic Spectra Experiment Data Sheets -- Atomic Spectrum Experiment Discussion Questions-- ch. 20. Discovering the Nature of Objects in Space: Kirchhoff's Laws of Radiation -- Introduction -- Theory -- Procedure and Observations -- Continuous Blackbody Spectrum: Kirchhoff's First Law -- Emission Line Spectrum: Kirchhoff's Second Law -- Absorption Line Spectrum: Kirchhoff's Third Law -- Calculations and Analysis -- Continuous Blackbody Spectrum: Kirchhoff's First Law -- Emission Line Spectrum: Kirchhoff's Second Law -- Absorption Line Spectrum: Kirchhoff's Third Law -- Kirchhoff's Law Experiment Data Sheets -- Continuous Blackbody Spectrum: Kirchhoff's First Law -- Emission Line Spectrum: Kirchhoff's Second Law -- Absorption Line Spectrum: Kirchhoff's Third Law -- Kirchhoff's Law Experiment Discussion Questions-- Appendix I. Physical Constants and Astronomical Measurements-- Appendix II. Julian Dates-- Appendix III. Day-of-the-Year Tables-- Appendix IV. Fast Fourier Transform Spectrum Analyzer Software |
| Summary |
This book presents experiments which will teach physics relevant to astronomy. The astronomer, as instructor, frequently faces this need when his college or university has no astronomy department and any astronomy course is taught in the physics department. The physicist, as instructor, will find this intellectually appealing when faced with teaching an introductory astronomy course. From these experiments, the student will acquire important analytical tools, learn physics appropriate to astronomy, and experience instrument calibration and the direct gathering and analysis of data. Experiments that can be performed in one laboratory session as well as semester-long observation projects are included. This textbook is aimed at undergraduate astronomy students |
| Analysis |
Physics |
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Astronomy |
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Astronomy, Observations and Techniques |
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Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology |
| Subject |
Astronomy -- Experiments.
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Physique.
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Astronomie.
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Astronomy -- Experiments
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| ISBN |
9781461433118 |
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1461433118 |
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146143310X |
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9781461433101 |
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