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 Report Format Guide (on sharepoint, linked from the module page on blackboard under "Assignments") and Marking Criteria (proforma and assessment criteria on sharepoint, linked from the module page on blackboard under "Start Here -> Feedback on assessed work").

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

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jrl

2020-Jun-17 12:42:33 UTC