Astronomy Elements

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

 

Teaching Methods

The teaching methods comprise three components: theory classes and problem solving classes, plus sessions to carry out astronomical observations.

Learning Outcomes

The course aims to provide the fundamentals of Spherical Astronomy. It is expected that the student be able to recognize the different celestial objects visible to the naked eye and its use for positioning. The student will be able to calculate the celestial position of a given object (at a given time and place) based on a catalogue of apparent positions.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The historical perspective of the Astronomy.
Recognition of celestial objects with the naked eye.
Brief introduction to the annual motion of the Earth.
Spherical trigonometry reference systems.
Diurnal movement of the Earth: rotation about an axis; brief reference to precession and nutation; movement of the poles; effects on the observations (parallax and diurnal aberration).
Daytime movement of stars.
Time scales: solar and mean solar; sidereal and mean sidereal; universal; calendars and Julian date. Positions observed, apparent and mean.
Transformations between observed coordinates and apparent.
Determination of the azimuth, latitude, longitude and universal time based on astronomical observations.

Head Lecturer(s)

João Manuel de Morais Barros Fernandes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Frequency: 60.0%

Bibliography

Cruz e Caderot, Problemas resueltos de Astronomia, 2000
Fernandes, Texto de apoio à disciplina de Elementos de Astronomia, 2013
Green, Spherical Astronomy, 1985
Freedman & Kaufmann, Universe, 2005
Stellarium (software - http://www.stellarium.org/pt)