Moons of Uranus

Project Aims

• to determine the basic orbital parameters for the moons of Uranus by using CCD observations from both Durham and the La Palma pt5m.
• to use archival data to extend the baseline of the observations and derive improved orbital parameters

Project Notes

1. Learn how to use the telescope and CCD system efficiently

   • Review the L1 User's Guide material to refresh your understanding of the apparent movement of objects in the night sky
   • Study the provided reference material on the telescope and CCD

2. Research background material

   • Understand the aims of the project
   • Study the web-based information linked from the provided References page
   • Revise the material covered in the "Observational Techniques" part of the Level-2 "Stars and Galaxies" module
   • Search out additional sources of information

3. Plan your project

   • Estimate the likely exposure times needed to detect the moons
   • Estimate how many observations you will need for your study
   • Plan your project write-up; consult the online DUO Report Format Guide and Marking Criteria

4. Write-up the "Introduction and Background" sections of your project

5. Make observations of the Uranus moons, as the weather permits, during the term (and request regular (~nightly) observations with the pt5m on La Palma).

   • Identify the moons using NASA's Uranus Viewer website or JPL's HORIZON system
   • Measure the positions of the moons relative to Uranus in pixels
   • Measure the pixel scale of the images using the astrometry Python scripts
   • How do your measured positions relative to Uranus compare with those given by JPL's HORIZONS System?
   • Write-up your results and conclusions

6. Develop a simple programme to derive the basic orbital parameters, e.g. the orbital periods, for the moons of Uranus

   • Test your programme using `perfect' data from JPL Horizons
   • Apply your programme to your data
   • Assess the random and systematic uncertainties of your method
   • Determine the orbital parameters (and their uncertainties)
   • Compare your values to the recognised values
   • Write-up your results and conclusions

7. Investigate image sharpening techniques

   • Research image sharpening techniques. See e.g. Chapter 16 of Berry and Burnell or the techniques available in the IRIS software like Richardson-Lucy
   • Compare your measurements before and after sharpening
   • Write-up your conclusions

8. Examine how, by using the archival data, the orbital parameters can be determined with improved precision

   • Write-up your conclusions

Back to the AstroLab Home Page

jrl

2020-Jun-17 12:42:33 UTC