Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca
Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Study Cycle: Master
SUBJECT

Code	Subject	
MMM1005	Observational Astronomy	

Section	Semester	Hours: C+S+L	Category	Type	
Applied Mathematics	4	2+2+0	speciality	optional	

Teaching Staff in Charge	Assoc.Prof. BLAGA Cristina Olivia, Ph.D., cpblaga@math.ubbcluj.ro	
Aims	The aim of the course is the acquirement of the modern methods in which the celestial objects radiation is or it was recorded and processed, about the tendencies in the observational astronomy, through presentation of the instruments used and spatial missions dedicated to gather information about different celestial bodies. 	
Content	I. Nature of light. Light as electromagnetic wave. Energetic and photometric quantities.
II. Elements of geometrical optics.
1. Principles of the geometrical optics. Ideal optical systems. Cardinal elements of the ideal optical systems.
2. Spherical diopters. Spherical mirror. Eyepieces. Lenses. Optical prism.
3. Optical instruments used in Astronomy (refracting and reflecting telescopes, transit instrument, meridian circle, theodolite, coelostat and horizontal telescope). Instrumental mounting. 
III. Astronomical spectroscopy.
4. Formation of the specters of chemical elements and their compounds.
5. Spectroscopes with optical prism or diffraction grating. 
VI. Observations in other spectral ranges (gamma rays, Roentgen, ultraviolet and infrared). Radioastronomy.
V. Astronomy of other forms of energy (cosmic rays, neutrinos, gravitational waves).
VI. Astronomical photometry.
6. Radiation detectors and filters for the visible domain.
7. Photometric systems. Atmospheric extinction.
8. Some applications of the UBV photometry.	
Bibliography	BIRNEY S.D.: Observational Astronomy, Cambridge University Press, 1991. 
2. BURKE B.F., GRAHAM-SMITH F.: An Introduction to Radioastronomy, Cambridge University Press, 1997.
3. LENA P., LEBRUN F., MIGNARD F.: Observational Astrophysics, Springer, 1996.
4. MARAN S. (ed.): The Astronomy and Astrophysics Encyclopedia, Van Nostrand Reinhold& Cambridge University Press, 1992.
5. MURDIN P.(ed.): Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics,  Nature Publishing Group& Institute of Physics Publishing, 2001. 
6. POP V., BLAGA C.: Astronomie observationala, Editura Risoprint, Cluj-Napoca, 2005.
7. STERKEN C., MANFROID J.: Astronomical Photometry, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1992.
8. URECHE V.: Universul, Astrofizica, vol. II, Editura Dacia, Cluj-Napoca, 1985.	
Assessment	The mark is a weighted mean between the mark obtained for the activity during the semester (50%) and the mark obtained at the written exam at the end of semester (50%). For the evaluation of the activity during the semester we will take into account the active participation of the students to the didactical activities (25%) and the implementation of their assignments (25%).