The purpose of the summer course is to make the students familiar with basic elements of modern observational astrophysics and the heart of the course is an observing trip to the Nordic Optical Telescope at which we from 17 August to 23 August 2926 will carry out an observational program. Three of the nights are the three Alfosc/NBI guaranteed nights and the remaining nights should be approved by the NOT OPC.
The participants will be from the five Danish Universities Southern Danish University (SDU), Danish Technical University (DTU), Copenhagen University (KU), Aarhus University (AU), and Aalborg University (AAU). The total number of students will be maximum 30 (in two runs of 15 students each).
Course responsibles: Johan Fynbo (KU), Frank Grundahl (AU).
Important note for students from Aarhus: Please contact Frank Grundahl before registering and submitting your application.
The course has three elements: 1) a preparation phase, 2) the actual observations at the telescope, and 3) a data reduction, data analysis, and mini-conference phase.
The course will last three weeks in August (preparation, observations, data reduction/analysis) and the mini-conference will be in October.
The objective of the course is to give the students an introduction to the central elements in preparation, execution and data reduction relating observations at a modern astrophysical observatory.
Content:
- phase 1: application for observing time, astronomical instruments, preparation of observing runs (target visibility, finding charts, signal-to-noise considerations).
- phase 2: execution of astrophysical observations at the Nordic Optical Telescope. When possible, we will also visit other telescopes on Roque del los Muchachos (e.g., the Swedish solar telescope, the Isaac Newton Group telescopes or the Spanish GTC).
- phase 3: reduction, analysis and presentation of results.
The student will after having passed the course be able to:
- Apply for observing time (although there is no guarantee that time will be granted)
- Prepare an observing run. This includes determining when a given target can be observed during the year and on a given night, how long the target should be observed to reach a specified signal-to-noise ratio, establishing which calibration data are needed, and interact with the observatory staff about which instrumental setup is needed for the run.
- Carry out astrophysical observations in an efficient and careful manner
- Extract the astrophysically relevant information from a dataset and presenting the conclusions in a clear and comprehensive manner
Basic knowledge of astronomy corresponding to an introductory astronomy course is required. It is also a requirement to have prior knowledge about programming in python and to have some basic knowledge about astronomical data types such as FITS images, long-slit spectra and/or echelle spectra.
To be selected for the course the student must:
Send an email to ida@phys.au.dk where the following are enclosed:
- A written application (1-page maximum, free format) where it is described:
- Why participation is wished and needed, interest, thesis work.
- Whether continued astronomy studies are intended
- Attach grade sheet
DEADLINE: 25 February 2026 at 23.59 pm
The final acceptance to the course will be based on the prior experience and motivated application.
You will get feedback on your application in March.
The course is passed by active participation and an oral presentation at a 'mini'-workshop held in one of the participating universities.
