Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

Radio astronomy opened our first window on the Universe outside the optical spectrum. It continues to play a unique role in modern astrophysics, by providing a powerful probe of primarily non-thermal emission processes important for understanding many types of astronomical objects. This emission can arise in some of the most extreme astrophysical environments, including around neutron stars and black holes. There thus exists a strong link between radio astronomy and high-energy X-ray/gamma-ray astrophysics, at the opposite end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Through the 21-cm line of hydrogen, radio astronomy is critical for mapping Galactic struture and gas content in a way inaccessible at other wavelengths.
This course gives a broad overview of the science of radio astronomy, through its relevant emission mechanisms and source classes (e.g. active galactic nuclei, HI clouds, supernova remnants, pulsars, the Sun and planets). We also provide a broad overview of the observational and analytical techniques by discussing how radio telescopes work, and how data can be analyzed to produce images of the sky. This is achieved through a series of lectures, practical work with real data, and a project in which the student writes and presents their own observing proposal - thereby gaining a deeper knowledge of a certain radio astronomical instrument and science topic.

Study materials

Literature

J.D. Kraus,'Radio Astronomy', Cygnus-Quasar Books, 1986.

Practical training material

Jupyter Notebooks

Other

Hand-outs.

Objectives

Be able to explain the key techniques used in analysing radio astronomy and the key science attainable with radio observations.
Be able to apply knowledge of radio astronomy techniques to practical assignments.
Be able to write an observing proposal for a radio telescope. The proposal will outline the key science goals, why the telescope is the best facility for this research and the telescope's technical setup required to obtain their data.

Teaching methods

Lecture
Fieldwork/excursion
Computer lab session/practical training
Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
Self-study

Lectures will provide the scientific content and background required for application to the various projects. The field trip to ASTRON and the Dutch radio telescopes will provide direct experience of different radio telescopes and how they are operated.

The Computer Lab Sessions using Jupyter Notebooks will teach how to handle radio astronomical data and lead to the students gaining deeper understanding of the material applied to key problems.

The students will work independently in self study time to write an observing proposal for a radio telescope and science case of their choice. This is the key assessed output of the course and will enable them to apply all the knowledge and experience gained from the other components to create their own proposal.

Learning activities

Activity	Hours
Excursie	8
Hoorcollege	20
Laptopcollege	20
Presentatie	4
Self study	116
Total	168	(6 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.

Additional requirements for this course:

Absence needs to be communicated to the course coordinator.

Assessment

Item and weight	Details
Final grade
0.2 (19%) Pulsar practicum
0.2 (19%) Interferometer practicum	Mandatory
0.2 (19%) Presentation	Mandatory
0.4 (38%) Proposal final version	Mandatory
0.05 (5%) Bonus FRB practicum	Best of

Assignments

1. Pulsar and Interferometry Practicums.

To be completed individually using Jupyter Notebooks

Will be graded by the TA and feedback will be provided by the TA

2. Proposal

There are two parts, the presentation and the written proposal

To be completed individually

Both parts will be graded out of 10.

Verbal feedback will be given after the presentation

Written feedback will be given on the written proposal

Fraud and plagiarism

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

Course structure

Week number	Topics	Study Material to be prepared	Assignment Deadlines
1	Lectures: Introduction and the Radio Telescope Galactic science Extragalactic science Practicum: Introduction to the mock observing proposal
2	Lectures: Emission mechanisms Time Domain I Practica: Discuss mock observing proposal Pulsar practicum	Ideas for observing proposal
3	Lectures: Interferometry I Practica: Discuss mock observing proposal	Draft observing proposal
4	Lectures: Interferometry II Time Domain II Practica: Interferometry practicum Interferometry practicum and bonus FRB practicum		Pulsar practicum due
5	Lectures: Interferometry III Practica: Discuss mock observing proposal	Draft observing proposal	Interferometry practicum due
6	Practica: Discuss mock observing proposal	Draft observing proposal	FRB bonus practicum due
7	Excursion to ASTRON and the Dutch Radio Telescopes
8	Observing proposal presentations		Mock observing proposal presentation Mock observing proposal to be submitted following week

Additional information

Recommended prior knowledge: a basic understanding of the Linux operating system and scripting using the python language are needed for the practicals.

Owner	Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator	dr. Antonia Rowlinson
Part of	Master Physics and Astronomy, track Astronomy and Astrophysics, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy,

Radio Astronomy