Astronomical Statistics and Measurement (U03753)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PHY-4-AstStatMe

Astronomical Statistics:
A section on probability and statistics for astronomers introduces the elements of probability theory, the calculus of probabilities and the central limit theorem, going on to consider various uses of statistics, including hypothesis testing, parameter estimation, and model selection, Bayes' theorem, and the effect of biases in data. The emphasis is on methods that are common in astronomical research, and how to avoid the notorious pitfalls that frequently trap the unwary.

Astronomical Measurement:
The course is concerned with ground- and space-based astronomical instrumentation across the full electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays. The emphasis is on the physical processes exploited in the
design and construction of instrumentation and in particular their detectors. As well as describing current state-of-the-art instrumentation, the course will cover techniques currently at the development stage.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : At least 40 credit points accrued in courses of SCQF Level 9 or 10 drawn from Schedule Q, including Physical Mathematics (PHY-3-PhMath) and either Optics (PHY-3-Optics) or Physics 3 (PHY-3-Phys3).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics), (School of Physics, Schedule Q)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
18/09/2007	10:00	11:00			ROE Lecture Theatre

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	10:00	10:50	Other
Lecture	Friday	10:00	10:50	Other

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course it is intended that a student will be able to:

Astronomical Statistics:
1) Describe the axioms of probability and be able to apply them to problems
2) Derive the Binomial, Poisson and Gaussian distributions and their application in probability
3) Explain the Central Limit Theorem, and show its general importance in probability and statistics
4) Understand how to fit models and estimate parameters using the Least Squares fit and Maximum Likelihood methods
5) Discuss and apply Bayes' Theorem
6) Understand and be able to apply non-parameteric statistics such as the chi-squared
7) Understand and perform Hypothesis testing, parameter estimation and model selection.

Astronomical Measurement:
1) describe the main types of telescope, imager and spectrometer used by modern astronomers across the electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays.
2) understand the basic physics behind the technology of the various instruments and detectors.
3) discuss the effect of the atmospheric emission, absorption and refraction on various types of instrument, and why some observations can only be made from above the atmosphere.
4) perform simple calculations on the basic design of instruments across the electromagnetic spectrum.