Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y N
Course Code PHYS3650
Date2024/11/12 17:28
Enquiry for Course Details
PHYS3650 Observational astronomy (6 credits) Academic Year 2024
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof J J L Lim, Physics < jjlim@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof J J L Lim,Physics)
Course Objectives This course introduced tools of contemporary observational astronomy, with a focus on those used at optical wavelengths.  Practical applications of these tools in both amateur astronomy as well as astronomical research will be described.  It is a core course for astronomy minor and an elective course for the astrophysics theme.
Course Contents & Topics Topics include: properties and workings of optical telescopes and astronomical detectors (e.g., CCDs); properties of light, effects of Earth's atmosphere and interstellar medium on astronomical observations; astronomical imaging and magnitude system; astronomical photometry and spectroscopy; observations of stars and galaxies including blackbody radiation, color-magnitude system, emission and absorption spectrum, and astronomical redshifts.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe and explain the workings of astronomical telescopes and detectors at optical wavelengths
CLO 2 describe how the inherent properties of light, the Earth's atmosphere, and the interstellar medium affect astronomical observations
CLO 3 explain how astronomical photometry and spectroscopy are conducted
CLO 4 perform computations to demonstrate competence on and understanding of the concepts learnt
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)
Pass in PHYS2255 or PHYS2650
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2024 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Astronomy ( Core/Compulsory )
2020 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2024 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply highly effective lab skills and techniques. Critical use of data and results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply effective lab skills and techniques. Correct use of data of results to draw appropriate conclusions.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply moderately effective lab skills and techniques. Mostly correct but some erroneous use of data and results to draw appropriate conclusions.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply partially effective lab skills and techniques. Limited ability to use data and results to draw appropriate conclusions.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective. Apply minimally effective or ineffective lab skills and techniques. Misuse of data and results and/or unable to draw appropriate conclusions.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory 4
Lectures 8 chapters 36
Tutorials 7 sessions 12
Reading / Self study 80
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)
Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 35 CLO 1,2,3,4
Examination 2-hour written exam 50 CLO 1,2,3,4
Laboratory reports 10 CLO 1
Test 5 CLO 1,2,3,4
Required/recommended reading
and online materials
To Measure the Sky by Frederick R. Chromey
An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics by Bradley Carroll & Dale A. Ostlie
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL
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