Course Description

BISSA-2009 will be held from July 5 to 23, 2009. The course comprises topics in the realm of Cosmology & Galaxy, Solar System, and Stellar Physics. It is set to prepare the participants to write a mini-research proposal that will be presented in a plenary session. The proposal will be useful not only for the participants, but also for others who would like to continue its implementation.

Lectures will stress on bringing up the hottest and newest issues in Astronomy as well as recent and related researches. There will be discussions on these issues and why such issues are important. Related materials such as research papers will be given to participants as a means of discussions and further analyses. From these lectures, participants are expected to get insights on the possible topics for the research they want to propose and conduct.

Tutorials will emphasize on the deepening and strengthening of the participants’ fundamental knowledge and skills in conducting any kind of (astronomical) research. There will be problems solving, tutorials on mastering astronomical softwares such as IRAF and IDL and other related topics such as how to write a good research proposal.

Mini-Research Proposal Writing. From the beginning of the summer school, participants will be grouped in order to prepare for mini-research proposal writing. Each group is allowed to make up to two mini-research proposals. These will be presented in plenary sessions. It is hoped that participants will follow up the proposals. They will be useful not only for the participants of this summer school, but also for others who would like to continue the implementation of the proposal.

Instrumentation at Bosscha Observatory. The program will be complete with a visit to Bosscha Observatory. Here, participants will be given lectures on instrumentation and introduced to instrumentation at Bosscha Observatory itself. In the evening, participants will be given a chance to visit the telescopes at the observatory.

Download preliminary program here.

Lectures in Detail

Cosmology and Galaxy

  • Structure and Dynamics of the Milky Way
  • Distribution and Evolution of Galaxies: Galaxy Clusters, Field Galaxies, Star Formation
  • Active Galactic Nuclei (e.g. Quasar Variability)
  • Dark Matter: Dynamical Analysis and Direct Detection
  • Physical Cosmology: Cosmological Parameters; Large Scale Structure, Gravitational Lensing

Stellar Physics

  • Development in Data Acquisition and Processing System (CCD-based Astronomical Instruments, etc.)
  • Stellar Evolution, Stellar Structure and Atmosphere, Stars with Envelope
  • Compact Objects and Accretion Process
  • Eclipsing & Visual Binary, Variable Stars, Binary Pulsars
  • Standard Star Observation: Light Curve and Spectral Analysis

Solar System

  • Solar Physics: Solar activities, Sunspot
  • Solar-Terrestrial Relation: Solar Activity Effects on Weather and Climate
  • Asteroids (Near Earth Asteroids & Dynamics and Evolution of Asteroids)
  • Dynamics of Small Bodies in the Solar System: Orbit of Potentially Hazardous Objects
  • Extra Solar Planets
  • Sun-Moon-Earth Relation: Lunar and Solar Calendars, Direction to Kiblah
  • Planets in Solar System