AST 3020 The Ultraviolet Half Spring 2007

Instructor: J. Scott Shaw (UV)

Topics
Our concentration is spectra obtained by HST -specifically by STIS.  You need to find 2 papers, which use the STIS.  Pick a type of object from the Topics List.  Any sort of object except planets is OK.  Topic choice is due by Jan 18.  Send http links of the actual papers to me.  You may state a preference, but you may get assigned your back up.  If you need to talk about what you have found, see me.

Grades
This one half of the course is 50% of the grade; divided into a project [includes in-class presentation and a written report] (30%), and a test (20%).  The UV and X-ray grades will be added to give a numerical grade based on 100.  Final letter grade cutoffs are determined by 93 ≤ A; 90 ≤ A– < 93; 87 ≤ B+ < 90; 83 ≤ B < 87; 80 ≤ B– < 83; 77 ≤ C+ < 80; 73 ≤ C < 77; 70 ≤ C– < 73; 60 ≤ D < 70

Tentative Schedule:
Jan 9         Introduction

11, 16         HST and STIS  Choice of topic due 18  

18               Introduction to data retrieval and display

23, 25         Introduction to UV Spectra General analysis of spectra "First look" and "Method of attack" due.

Feb 1          Data Analysis

Feb 1-20     Progress meetings.

Feb 22, 27            Talks  

March 1      Test         

March 8      Written reports due

Reading List

Woodgate, et al PASP 110, 1183

Here also is an outline of a few topics to study for the test.  You should also be familiar with a few of the more important spectral lines in the UV

You also have a condensed version of how to reduce data.

Links

Atomic line list

Student articles