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The Open University

Telescopes and spectrographs

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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This course introduces the design and operation of astronomical telescopes and spectrographs. It examines telescope types and performance characteristics, then explains how spectrographs disperse and process light.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Telescopes
  • 1 Telescopes
  • 1.1 A milestone in the advancement of astronomy
  • 1.2 Optical elements
  • 1.3 Refracting telescopes
  • 1.4 Reflecting telescopes
  • 1.5 The characteristics of astronomical telescopes
  • 1.5.1 Light-gathering power
  • 1.5.2 Field-of-view
  • 1.5.3 Angular magnification
  • 1.5.4 Image scale
  • 1.5.5 Point spread function and angular resolution
  • 1.6 Telescope mountings
  • 1.7 Summary of Section 1 and questions
  • 2 Spectographs
  • 2 Spectographs
  • 2.1 The heart of spectroscopy: dispersing light
  • 2.1.1 Prisms and the refraction of light
  • 2.1.2 Diffraction and interference of light
  • 2.1.3 Reflective diffraction gratings
  • 2.2 Optical layout of a spectrograph
  • 2.3 Throughput of a spectrograph
  • 2.4 Other spectrographs
  • 2.5 Summary of Section 2 and questions
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements

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