Physics 415 Syllabus: Fall 2007

Summary: This course will introduce astronomy minors to research methodology in the physical sciences. With an enrollment of 4 students, each student will have his own project and produce his own paper. The paper should be 4 pages in length.You will have the opportunity to work on “real data” and learn many new things. In addition, you will use what you have learned in the other astrophysics classes.

Text: There is no required textbook. We will use online materials to analyze data and understand the characteristics of two of the telescope-detector systems that we are using.

Project 1: The first project involves using observations made by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) of the WP 23 galaxy group. Simulations predict that this galaxy group should produce cosmic rays during formation that will be observed in the X-ray via the inverse Compton process. You will reduce and model the WP 23 spectral data set to test this hypothesis.

Project 2: The second project involves modeling Chandra observations of 2 – 4 galaxy clusters in the Horologium super cluster. The spectro-spatial imaging of Chandra has produced a data set rich in structure that show these clusters to be evolving. X-ray observations of the hot intracluster medium will be analyzed along with the galaxy positions to give an indication of the dynamical history of the clusters.

Tools that may be new to you include Ciao, Ftools, Xspec, ds9, and Matlab. We will meet at the computer twice a week (I will sit with each group for ½ hour twice a week). We will use this time for you to show me what progress you have made and to ask questions. You can send me questions via email; don't wait for a class meeting. Make progress each day. Keep a detailed log of your work to facilitate an efficient and productive interaction between us.

Grading: You will be graded on how much you learn, the quality of your paper, and the overall competency you achieve in research. A postscript format paper prepared using the Astrophysical Journal latex template will be due on the day of the final exam. Each student will have an oral exam that will last about 1/2 hour and take place during the final exam time.

Meeting Times: Tuesday 5:30- 6:30 and Thursday 5:30-6:30.