Session Description:

When we talk about astronomy and observatories we all think about telescopes in big domes and astronomers looking through the eyepieces, in a white apron, while taking notes, doing complex mathematical operations and discovering exciting new objects. However, the astronomical observatories today are much closer to complex big facilities, requiring hundreds of people to operate them in order to collect the information that comes from the skies, so we can understand better our place in the universe. In this class I will introduce what is what astronomers want to get from the sky, and what tools are required in order to do so, with a bias towards the ALMA observatory, a radio interferometry in the forefront of the science and the technology.

BEFORE THE CLASS

Each masterclass has some readings and discussion questions for you to work on before the masterclass. There are pre-masterclass readings or videos, as well as pre-masterclass discussion questions. 

After you complete your Preclass Materials, sign on to Discord 1 hour before your masterclass start time. You will submit your responses to the pre-masterclass questions in the associated #prof-chat channel in Discord. Then, visit a Discord Meeting Room to discuss the Pre-Masterclass Discussion Questions with your peers. This ensures you are prepared for the masterclass.

Pre-Masterclass Reading 

1. Pages 8, 9, and 16-19 from the ALMA Universe:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x_zx01jpoHfmifvhMZ6Rk3Pl2sfvPJ0l/view?usp=sharing 

2. Pages 5-7, 11-13, and 15-27 (focusing on the nature of the light, students are not expected to follow the mathematical formulation in the text) from the Radio Astronomy Manual, ALMA at School

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AxDJj5snm9KFiIC7Dd0PWQSmtqj4ibv6/view?usp=sharing 

Pre-Masterclass Questions

1. How do we know how the stars work? If you have not been interested in astronomy before, how do you think the stars produce energy?

2. How long have we known about our place in the universe? When were the galaxies discovered?

3. Besides using the light to collect information from the universe, do you think there are other methods or experiments to get even more information from the sky?

4. How do you imagine the work of an astronomical observatory?

DURING THE CLASS

After completing the pre-masterclass discussion with your peers in Discord, go to the "Events" channel for the Zoom link to your Masterclass. The Zoom link will also be sent via email 1 hour before the session begins.

Reminders of Good Behavior Expectations During the Session:

• Make sure your name is presented in the Aspire format: "FirstName LastName | Country"

• Raise your hand if you would like to be called on

• Please keep your communication on topic and related to the session

• Be respectful and kind to the faculty, our staff, and your fellow participants.

AFTER THE CLASS

Towards the end of the masterclass session, the Aspire team will share out a link to an attendance form. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit at least one attendance form. We will not personally remind you -- it is on you to get the link and indicate that you have attended the session.

The form will be live for 3 hours after the masterclass ends. After that, it can no longer be submitted.

If you miss the window to submit the attendance form, or if you missed the link, you have to attend an additional masterclass. In order to complete the program, you must submit at least one attendance form.