3 EC
Semester 2, period 6
5354AODT3Y
In astronomy, obtaining observing time on telescopes and satellites is often very competitive. The standard procedure is therefore to write an observing proposal, which lays out a scientific question and a detailed plan how to address it with observations of a particular telescope. Such a proposal needs to convince the “time allocation committee” to grant you observing time. Proposals represent a highly specialized form of writing that is substantially different from more common types of writing.
During this course you will learn to translate a scientific question into an astronomy observing plan, and to write a compelling proposal to get observing time for it. While during the course we focus writing an observing proposal for the 1.2-m Mercator telescope on La Palma, the skills you gain are broadly applicable. Learning how to write a concise document that articulates a certain idea/plan/solution and persuades the readers to choose yours over others, is an important skill that will be valuable for instance for writing proposals for other observatories or large computer facilities, proposals for (research) funding, or business proposals.
This course requires searching for and reading scientific literature on the topic of the chosen project, as well as consulting relevant telescope data bases.
Study material will be published on Canvas and includes:
The lectures give the technical background necessary to work out the science cases, as well as pointers and guidelines to then present the science case in the best way.
The presentation serves as a formative assessment of the science project and how the science case is being conveyed.
Self-study and working independently on the project serve to deepen scientific knowledge, understand the practical aspects of astronomical observing, and train translating scientific ideas into research projects.
The TA classes take the form of back-and-forth question/discussion sessions that serve as formative assessment and provide guidance for further self-study/independent work.
|
Activity |
Hours |
|
|
Hoorcollege |
6 |
|
|
Project |
12 |
|
|
Werkcollege |
6 |
|
|
Self study |
60 |
|
|
Total |
84 |
(3 EC x 28 uur) |
Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).
Additional requirements for this course:
Each session, including the two pre-meetings in April and May, include back-and-forth interactions between the teachers and students to work out the science projects. Attendance is therefore mandatory for all classes.
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade | |
|
1 (100%) Final proposal | NAP if missing |
|
Project presentation | Must be ≥ pass |
To mimic the real-life, deadlines for the draft and final assignments are very strict. Failing to meet a deadline means failing the course.
Dedicated sessions for formative assessment are included in the course schedule (a detailed version of which can be found on the Canvas page of the course). Teachers give oral and written feedback on all mid-term assignments, which sets the expectation for the final assessment.
There are 4 assignments during this source:
#1 Project presentations
#2 Draft (written) science case
#3 Draft (written) feasibilit/case
#4 Final proposal
All assignments are compulsory and deadlines are strict (to mimic the real-life)
All assignments are made as a group.
Oral and written feedback will be provided by the teachers.
The presentations (#1) are graded as pass/fail.
The draft submissions (#2 and #3) are not graded.
The final proposal (#4) is graded and sets the final grade of the course.
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
| Week number |
Subjects | Study material |
| 1 |
Technical details telescope + instrument Building and selling a science case Introduction to observing strategy |
Lecture slides, telescope/instrument website and papers, scientific literature |
| 2 |
Project presentations Submission of written draft science case Refining the observing strategy Building and selling a feasibility study |
Lecture slides, online exposure time calculators, scientific literature |
| 3 |
Feedback sessions on science case Discussions on feasibility and strategy Submission of written draft feasibility case |
Teacher feedback on written science case (oral + written) and feasibility /strategy (oral), scientific literature |
| 4 |
Feedback sessions on feasibility study Discussions on overall project |
Teacher feedback on written feasibility study (oral + written) and overall project (oral), scientific literature |
N/A
This course:
- will be given in English and there will be a Canvas site for all course-related materials and communications.
- is open to all interested students who have followed first-year A&A or GRAPPA MSc track courses.
- runs for 4 weeks in June when there are 6 contact hours (3 classes) per week. Additionally, there are two 2-hr pre-meetings in April and May.
- is one of the entry requirements for taking the course “Observation Project” in fall (block 1+2). There are limited spots for the “Observation Project” course: participation for that course will be determined based on the performance during the “Astronomical observations from design to proposal” course. Students who do not wish to take “Observation Project” can take “Astronomical observations from design to proposal” as stand-alone course.
For all questions and submission of assignments, please send an e-mail to all four staff involved (i.e., Nathalie, Julia, Elise, Rudy)