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Sandbox for Invited Speakers

This is a wiki sandbox for possible discussions amongst the invited speakers.

In particular, many of the invited speakers will be speaking on aspects of image processing. Placing their thoughts in the sandbox might minimise duplication of content and also enhance such duplications as are necessary.

Abstracts of all presentations are also needed, so that abstract books could be distributed to all participants at the workshop.

Placing the Abstracts here would facilitate this.

Inaugural Session

Inaugural Address

Prof. Yashpal

Key Note Address

Prof. Tushar Prabhu

Abstract

We are part of the nature around us: flora and fauna, earth and sky. Nature appeals to our sense of beauty and excites our curiosity. We are all here at this workshop because we appreciate the beauty of night sky and curious about the diverse objects in the Universe.

A brief introduction will be provided in the talk on all the topics covered in this workshop. It is urged that we preserve our atmospheric window to the Universe for its beauty and diversity, and spread this message to all sections of the society.

Notes and useful references

Nature is Inexhaustible

Celestial Variability

Dr.Santosh Joshi

Abstract

Notes and useful references

The Active Sun

Prof. Wahabuddin

Abstract

Notes and useful references

From Stars to Quasars

Prof. Patrick Das Gupta

Abstract

There are myriads of bright and luminous objects in the universe, ranging from - stars, nebulae, gamma-ray bursts, galaxies, quasars to gigantic systems like clusters and superclusters of galaxies. This talk will be a guided tour through the fascinating menagerie of astrophysical entities, focusing on their physical nature, enormity of length scales and the current understanding of these systems. The key players that lead to such a variety of astronomical sources in our cosmos are: gravity and the second law of thermodynamics. The talk will discuss all these aspects at a very introductory level.

Notes and useful references

Landscape Astrophotography

Landscape Astrophotography

Babak Tafreshi

Abstract Bringing the Earth and sky in one frame is not only based on technical knowledge of photography and sky gazing, is a work of art. Landscape astrophotographers need to be at right place at right time to present the serene beauty of the night sky with eye-catching landmarks.

Notes and useful references

http://www.dreamview.net/dv/new/browse.asp?cat=NightSky&page=1

http://www.twanight.org/newTWAN/education_page.asp

Basic Astrophotography and Star Trails

C. B. Devgun

Abstract Why star trails? The session will cover the basic aspects of taking star trails and the equipment one can use. Brief intro on roll versus digital Exposure and aperture settings to use. Right framing of the image “How to shoot off the hip” travelling astrphotographer, lighter side of astrophotography.

Notes

The Techniques
Chair - Prof. Tushar Prabhu

Polar Alignment, Field Rotation, polar Alignment Scopes, Drift Alignment

Vikrant Narang

Abstract
As the Earth rotates on its axis, the objects in the sky seem to move across the sky throughout the day and night. Astrophotographers use 'Equitorial' telescope mounts with a 'Polar Axis' to help compensate for the Earths Rotation while taking photographs. Aligning the 'Polar Axis' of these mounts parallel to Earths rotational axis is is critical to Astrophotography. While a rough alignment may be good for visual observations, it can be very crude for long exposure Astrophotography and cause stars to leave a trail. This session would begin by touching some of the problems arising from inaccurate polar alignment, such as 'Field Rotation' or 'Drifting' of stars in Right Ascension and Declination and go on to explaining the tools and techniques of obtaining quick and precise polar alignment such as 'Polar Alignment Scopes' and 'Drift Alignment' (also called 'Star Drift' method).

If 'Drift Alignment' technique has evaded you until now and lack of its understanding is preventing you from serious Astrophotography, fear No more. The explanation in this session and a practical demonstration under the stars on 4th night will make it a breeze.

Notes and useful references

Techniques of Photographing the Night Sky

Ajay Talwar

Abstract This session visualises the different equipment configrations required for different objects and events in the sky. Introduction of equipment required for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of astrophotography will be facilitated. Briefly touching equipment required for Tripod & Camera, Prime focus, Eyepiece Projection, and Afocal methods, and what objects can be photographed with each.

Notes and useful references

Basics of cameras for astrophotography: Conventional Camera/SLR/Digital Camera/Webcam/DSLR/CCD

Stephan Seip

Abstract

Notes and useful references

Imaging and Processing

Imaging the Sun, Moon, and planets

Gernot Meiser

Abstract

Notes and useful references

Aspects of Image Processing

Stephan Seip

Abstract

Notes and useful references

Deep Sky Astrophotography and Image Processing for the beginner

Dr. Suresh Mohan

Abstract Basic polar alignment and autoguiding will be discussed. Discussions on the modification of the histogram by linear and non linear adjustments. A workflow of image processing will be demonstrated. Keywords : Colour Balancing, Image Cleanup

Notes and useful references

Special Discussion Planned activities for the International Year of Astronomy, by the NCSTC

Ujjwala Tirkey, NCSTC
Astronomy with Cameras

CCD photometry

Dr. Padmakar Parihar

Abstract

In my talk I will briefly describe the technique of Astronomical photometry using CCD as a detector. The talk will cover how one can obtain the brightness as well as colors of cosmic objects from the raw CCD images and how this data can be used to extract very valuable scientific information.

Notes and useful references

Science with webcam imaging

Stephan Seip

Abstract

Notes and useful references

Digital Camera vs CCD - why opt for a B/W CCD

P. Anbazagan

Abstract

Notes and useful references

Possible Amateur Astronomy Science with a B/W CCD and small telescopes

Prof. S.K. Pandey

Abstract "Small optical telescopes of aperture ~8"-16" have proved very useful in teaching astronomy at different levels in schools, colleges and universities. The availability of low-cost backend instrumentation (e.g. stellar photometer, CCD camera and stellar spectrograph) together with increased sophistication in telescope and computer technology as well as in data acquisition, reduction & analysis software packages has enhanced the capability of small telescopes in modern era of ever increasing sizes of large optical telescopes. This in turn has influenced the way astronomy is taught effectively with the objective of spreading the joy of observational astronomy among students and tuning their excitement for a career in pure science subjects. In this talk I plan to talk about possible projects that can undertaken in Universities/Colleges as part of the Physics course. This is based on observational exercises and projects carried out by the students of our department as a part of their Astronomy course. The projects include atmospheric extinction measurements, calibration of CCD camera and photometer, and tracing light curves of various types of bright variable stars e.g. Cepheid, Delta Scuti, Eclipsing binaries like Algols, and active (RS CVn? type) stars."

Notes and useful references

Astronomy with spacecraft archives

Multiwavelength astronomy with spacecraft archives

Prof. Jayant Murthy

Abstract

My talk will be focused on the new opportunities for doing new research at home or, perhaps, more feasibly, in schools and universities. I will mention two projects using multiwavelength astronomy but will concentrate on the changes that fast computing and ready access to information have brought to research. Although the full potential of the new Information Age has not been achieved as yet, we are beginning to bring true research to the masses. My talk will serve as an introduction to the more detailed projects presented by the next speakers.

Notes and useful references

http://show.zoho.com/public/jmurthy/archival%20astronomy

Possible student projects in pattern recognition using spacecraft planetary images

Sanjay Limaye

Abstract

Notes and useful references

Unleashing the power of archival data: HST & 2MASS

Priya Hassan

Abstract Astronomy has evolved to a data rich science. I shall demonstrate the science cases of two recent papers on AGN and star clusters to show the potential of archival data. Possible student projects using archival data will be discussed.

Notes and useful references

  1. Hasan, Priya, Morphologies of AGN host galaxies using HST/ACS in the CDFS-GOODS field, Astrophysics and Space Science, Volume 313, Issue 4, pp.363-371(arXiv:0707.1613) http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0707/0707.1613v2.pdf
  2. Hasan, Priya; Hasan, S N; Shah, Urmi, The structure and dynamics of young star clusters: King 16, NGC 1931, NGC 637 and NGC 1892008 (arXiv0808.1785) http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0808/0808.1785v1.pdf
Earth, its atmosphere and Light Pollution Concerns

Extinction, sky background and seeing

Dr. Padmakar Parihar

Abstract Other than the clear sky, the very important parameters which characterize any astronomical sites are, the sky background, atmospheric seeing and the extinction. In my talk I will briefly describe about these parameters, how they affect astronomical observations and how we measure it.

Notes and useful references

World wide efforts towards Light Pollution Measurements

Mike Simmons

Abstract

Notes and useful references

Digital Camera images of the sky for measuring light pollution

Anurag Garg

Abstract

Notes and useful references

Project Dark Skies - Student's Project for measuring light Pollution

C B Devgun

Abstract PROJECT DARK SKIES is an effort to bring back the charm of unpolluted star filled skies back to present generation. Light pollution Present scenario in india Campaign to fight light pollution How to measure it with simple methods Involving students and masses, making it a grass root level project Quantifying the light pollution Collaborating with other institutions

Notes and useful references

Online and Skype Sessions

Exoplanet Transit Imaging

Anthony Ayiomamitis

Abstract

Notes and useful references

Some general references

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Page last modified on October 07, 2008, at 03:36 AM EST