ASTR 3520 -- Astronomical Observations and
Instrumentation II: Spectroscopy (Fall 2006)

TA: Brian Keeney

NEW:

• John's Class Webpage
• Josh Walawender's IRAF Tutorial
• Observing Calendar

Lab Handouts:

• How to Setup IRAF
• An Introduction to UNIX
• An Introduction to IRAF
• Reducing Images in IRAF
• How to Turn-In Homework #1
• Estimating Exposure Times
• Reducing Spectra in IRAF

Links:

• Reducing Spectra with IRAF (from the IRAF Homepage)
  • This is long and a bit outdated, but filled with tons of useful information and is where I normally turn when I need help.
• A list of some nebular lines and their wavelengths

• Observing Tools
  • To use these tools you'll need information on SBO that Josh Walawender has assembled here...
  • Airmass Calculator
    • This program calculates the airmass as a function of time for a given object during the night.
  • Astronomical Sky Calendar
    • This returns basic data on sunrise and sunset times, LST at midnight, moonrise and moon set times and illumination.
  • Daily Almanac
    • This gives basic data similar to the above, but in more detail; however, it only returns data for one day.
  • Object Seasonal Observability
    • Calculates the amount of available observing time each night for a given object over the course of a few months.
• Weather:
  • Weather Forecast for Boulder
  • Current Weather Conditions in Boulder
    • Click on the link at the bottom of the menu on the left to get current conditions in Boulder.
  • Clear Sky Clock for SBO
    • This last link is a computer model designed to predict cloud cover over the next 48 hours at SBO.

• The STScI Digitized Sky Survey
• International Dark Sky Association (IDA)

• Apache Point Observatory

• SEDS
• IRAF Project Home Page
• SIMBAD Astronomical Database
• USNO Finding Chart Program
• ADS Astronomy Abstract Service

• Images (from SBO and other places):
  • Images from SBO
  • The Advanced Observing Program (AOP) at Kitt Peak (click on the images link)
    • The AOP uses instruments similar to what we have at SBO, but with much better conditions (darker skies and better seeing). Compare images from the SBO gallery and the AOP gallery and you'll see how improved conditions and some additional effort can make a dramatic difference in image quality.

• APS Department Web Page

written by: Brian Keeney
last modified: September 1, 2006