Astronomy

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 Astronomy, mainly on the Spherical Astronomy. An introduction to the astronomical observations is also a goal of this course. 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 and some data reduction as well.

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.

Telescopes. Altazimuth observations with aim to determine geographyical coordinates. CCD observations.

Head Lecturer(s)

João Manuel de Morais Barros Fernandes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field 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

Geller, Freedman & Kaufmann, Universe, 11 ed., 2019

Kartunen et al., Fundamental Astronomy, 2016

Stellarium (software - http://www.stellarium.org/pt