Modern Observatory Facilities for a New Program in Astrophysics

天文学和天体物理学的新计划包括新的课程、教员、天文台圆顶和在新装修的科学大楼中的天文实验室。这是第一次开设天体物理学高级课程和天文学入门实验室。在这些课程中，学生们获得了天文技术的经验，从简单的练习到高级实验。新天文学项目的成功在很大程度上取决于可提供的项目的质量，而项目的质量随后又取决于可用的仪器设备的质量。DFM 16“f/8卡塞格伦望远镜、SBIG ST-8 CCD成像相机、高分辨率光谱仪、现代计算机控制和操作系统以及数据分析软件的结合，使学生有可能获得以前只有大型天文学系学生才能获得的经验。之所以专门为天文台选择DFM望远镜，是因为它为仪器选择提供了灵活性。它的设计和安装可立即在瞄准、引导和对焦方面实现最高性能，并保证工艺精湛，并配有远程观测设备和简单、用户友好的操作系统。此外，16英寸望远镜非常适合城市地区，因为它有很好的集光能力，可以观测明亮和微弱的物体。天空的亮度也可以从CCD曝光中减去。有了好的CCD相机和高分辨率光谱仪，天文系可以为高级学生提供非常广泛的天文学入门练习和高级实验，以及独立的研究项目。这些天文台设施还支持行星地质学、物理化学、电子学和光学的项目和练习。

The new program in astronomy and astrophysics includes new courses, faculty, an observatory dome, and an astronomy laboratory in the newly renovated science buildings. For the first time, an advanced course on astrophysics and an introductory astronomy laboratory are being offered. In these courses, students are gaining experience in astronomical techniques, ranging from simple exercises to advanced experiments. The success of the new astronomy program strongly depends on the quality of the projects that can be offered, which subsequently depend on the quality of instrumentation available. The combination of a DFM 16'' f/8 Cassegrain telescope, SBIG ST-8 CCD imaging camera, high-resolution spectrograph, modern computer controls and operating systems, and data analysis software are making it possible for students to gain experience previously available only to students in large astronomy departments. The DFM telescope has been specifically chosen for the observatory because it gives flexibility for instrumentation choices. It is designed and installed for immediate maximum performance in pointing, guiding, and focusing, guaranteed for workmanship, and comes with remote observing equipment and a simple, user-friendly operating system. Furthermore, the 16" telescope is ideal for an urban location, since it has good light gathering capabilities for observing both bright and faint objects. Sky brightness can also be subtracted in CCD exposures. With a good CCD camera and high-resolution spectrograph, the department can provide a very wide range of introductory exercises and advanced experiments in astronomy, as well as independent research projects for the advanced students. These observatory facilities also support projects and exercises in planetary geology, physical chemistry, electronics, and optics.