ASTRONOMY

BEG……

Year: II Semester: IV

Lectures: 45 Hours
Exercise: 15 Hours
Year: II
Semester: IV
Credit hrs.: 3
Full Marks: 100

Course Objectives

a) To provide general and theoretical knowledge about time, celestial sphere, and geodetic astronomy. b) To provide practical knowledge on geodetic astronomical observations. c) To provide theoretical knowledge on observation of solar system bodies, stars, and constellations.

Course Detail

1. Introduction to Field Astronomy (8 hrs.)

• Introduction
• Celestial Coordinate Systems
• Definition of terms
• The Terrestrial Coordinate Systems
• The Celestial Coordinate Systems
  • The Horizon System
  • The Right Ascension System
  • The Hour Angle System
  • The Ecliptic System
• Transformations of coordinates between Celestial Systems
• Spherical Trigonometry

2. Time Systems (3 hrs.)

• Time and Motion
• Sidereal Time
• Universal (Solar) Time
• Conversion of Times
• Star Almanac, Star Catalogue, and Ephemeris

3. Geodetic Astronomy (9 hrs.)

• Field astronomy
• Introduction
• Determination of Latitude
• Determination of Longitude
• Determination of Azimuth
• Determination of Deviation of Verticals
• Introduction to parallax, precession, aberration, Doppler shift

4. Law of Motion and Inertial Frame of Reference (4 hrs.)

• Kepler's and Newton's Laws of Motion
• The Concept of an Inertial Frame: ITRF and ICRF
• The Rotation of the Earth
• Proper Motion of Stars
• Elementary Particles

5. Observation Instruments (5 hrs.)

• Telescopes: Optical, radio, and space
• Satellites for mapping
• Binoculars
• Other accessories

6. Solar System (8 hrs.)

• Property, motion, observation, and mapping techniques of the following:
  • Sun
  • Planets and their Satellites
  • Asteroids, Comets, Meteorites, Par Neptunium belt, and Oort's Clouds

7. Introduction to Universe (5 hrs.)

• Stars
• Constellations
• Galaxies
• Universe
• Constellation area
• Names of Constellations and other bodies

8. Preparation of Planetary Map and Star Atlas (3 hrs.)

• Planetary Mapping
  • Map Projection
  • Origin of coordinates
  • Features selection
  • Symbolization
  • Name of features
• Star Atlas
  • Map Projection
  • Origin of coordinates
  • Features selection up to four classes
  • Symbolization
  • Name and symbol of features

Exercise:

• Observation of the Sun, Polaris, and stars for azimuth, latitude, longitude, and deviation of verticals
• Observation of the Solar system bodies
• Various events: solar and lunar eclipses, transit, occultation, and other events of public interest
• Stars, galaxies, clusters, and nebulae

Recommended Reading and Reference Books

1. Astrophysics of Solar System, Prof. K.D. Abhyankar, vol. 1 & 2
2. Elementary Astronomy, 1993, P R Wolf, RC Brinker
3. Field Astronomy, HMSO, London, UK
4. FK 6 Star Catalogue, Germany
5. Geodetic Astronomy
6. Saur Jagat, 2005, P P Oli, Manichud Publication, Kathmandu
7. Star Almanac for Land Surveyors, HM S. O. London, UK
8. The Elements of Astronomy for Surveyors, 1985, J B Mackie, Charles Griffin & Co. Ltd.
9. The Indian Astronomical Ephemeris, Govt. of India, New Delhi
10. Lecture Notes

Final Examination Scheme

Model Questions

Very Short Questions: [4*2=8]

1. Define the following: [2*2=4] a. Astronomical Parallax b. Sidereal Time
2. List the uses of the following in Surveying: [2*2=4] a. Field Astronomy b. ITRF

Short Questions: [8*4=32]

1. Derive the formula Cos h = Sin H - Sin ɸ Sin δ / Cos ɸ Cos δ, where h, H, ɸ, δ are hour angle, vertical angle, latitude, and declination of a star, respectively.
2. Describe the Star Almanac for Land Surveyors.
3. What is Doppler Shift? Describe its uses in astronomy.
4. Write Newton's Laws of Motion.
5. Illustrate the optical telescope and its uses.
6. Describe briefly an asteroid or comet.
7. Describe the physical properties and motions of the Sun.
8. Explain the process of mapping a planet like Mercury or the Moon.

Long Questions: [2*10=20]

1. List celestial coordinate systems and describe the horizontal coordinate system.
2. List methods of determination of azimuth, describe the method of observing Polaris (α Minoris), and explain how to minimize the errors of observations.
   OR,
   Describe the solar system and its bodies briefly.