18303 Observational Techniques and Data Analysis in Astrophysics
Course Webpage: https://eclass.uoa.gr/courses/PHYS194
Course Content
The course provides intensive training in astronomical observing techniques, covering the entire cycle from strategic observation planning to data reduction, analysis, and extraction of physical results. The material includes the principles of radiation detection across all wavelengths, highlighting both common features and differences among telescopes and detectors at different wavelengths, for both ground‑based and space‑based observatories. It also covers fundamental principles of instrumentation, coordinate systems, and observing techniques (such as photometry, spectroscopy, integral Field Unit spectroscopy – IFU, radiometry, interferometry, polarimetry). As part of the course, relevant laboratory exercises are offered using the Department of Physics’ own facilities (Gerostathopoulio Observatory, radio telescopes), as well as laboratory exercises in calibration and data processing from major international telescopes using both provided and custom codes.
