VP ASL-Astrowoche Diavolezza
Please note: The following content is only available in English.
Registration is closed.
Introduction
The "Astrowoche" (Astro-Week) is an experiment within the framework of the Advanced Student Lab of the adavanced physics practica (VP). This year the week will take place again during the winter semester vacations at Berghaus Diavolezza (2978 m.a.s.l.). We will observe astronomical as well as artificial celestial objects with optical and radio telescopes, and analyse the data to derive scientific conclusions. The following video gives an insight into the astro week:
The number of participants is limited to about 20 students. Participants can form groups of ideally 4 people, with one "experiment" per group. Successful completion of the astroweek is equivalent to two "normal" VP experiments. It is mandatory to participate in the information event, to submit an observing proposal, to participate in the Astrowoche on Diavolezza and to get the report submitted and accepted in time at the end.
Aim of the experiments
It is important to get acquainted with the basics of astronomical work, such as the use of telescopes and instrumentaion, their alignment and calibration, and the reduction of the obtained data (processing of raw data by means of computer support). Students work independently with the support of teaching assistants. It should be an experimental week with hands-on experiences, and creativity and spontaneous problem solving are emphasized.
Nevertheless, good preparation is a prerequisite for the success of the experiments. This includes, in addition to a thorough study of the literature, possibly the preparation of computer programs or telescope equipment, the provision of coordinates and times (ephemerides) as well as the preparation of a precise observation plan in a proposal to be prepared. In addition, we organize a "dry run" on the roof terrace or basement of the HPP (HPP Q 12) in November or December.
external page NZZ-Artikel 2013 von R. Schwarzenbach
The information event for interested students will be held on Friday 27 September 2024 at 16:00 in HIT J43.1. At this information meeting, details about the schedule of the Astrowoche will be announced. In addition, we will make the experiment and group assignments, i.e. who will do which experiment together with whom. Participation is mandatory.
Registration is required for participation in the Info-Event. Registratoin is closed.
A Download commitment (DOCX, 29 KB) (in german) form must be filled out and brought to the info event.
The Download presentation of last year's (PDF, 11 MB) info event can be downloaded.
The Astro Week will take place from 06 - 11 January 2025 at Berghaus Diavolezza at 3000 m.a.s.l.. Outward journey on Monday, return journey on Saturday.
Adresse:
Berghaus Diavolezza
CH-7504 Pontresina
berghaus@diavolezza.ch
Tel. +41 (0)81 839 39 00
Meeting Place
Monday, 06 January 2025, 16:00,
Berghaus Diavolezza, in the restaurant.
Caution: last ascent of the mountain railroad from Bernina-Diavolezza at 16:00.
Travel to and from the meeting is individual and the responsibility of each participant. ETH does not cover travel expenses.
- Warm clothes: wind-proofed jacket, sweater, hat, gloves (ideally you wear 2 pairs simultaneously, one pair with thin finger-gloves to use while working with the equipment and one thick pair to pull over the thin pairs to keep the hands warm), good(!) shoes (temperatures at night around -30ºC are possible)
- Sleeping bag (but there are wool blankets), hand / bath towels
- Personal medication (no pharmacy nearby)
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sunscreen, personal medication, possibly ear plugs (mass accomodation)
- Flashlight incl. spare battery. Ideally a red filter (for the optical groups), so that the eyes remain accustomed to the darkness (as with an army flashlight, can be easily made with adhesive tape and a red clear bag).
- Enough cash (see info under "Cost").
- Work materials. Internet connection (WiFi) is available. It is advisable to bring a notebook to make first evaluations. This will also allow us to prepare the presentation of the group work, which we have planned for Friday evening. As a working place (with power supply) we can use the restaurant (except during peak tourist time over lunch).
- Water and provisions for in-between (half board is included in the price, but during the day food and drinks must be purchased from the restaurant or brought by yourself. There is NO drinking water from the tap and water is sold very expensive as usual for mountain restaurants). There is a small kiosk with chocolate bars etc. Cocking is not allowed so bring snacks that don't require heating. During the night hot tea/coffee is provided.
ETH will cover the largest fraction of the costs for accommodation including half board. The remaining costs have to be covered by the students and each student is required to pay 150.00 CHF for the entire week. This amount must be paid in cash on site at Diavolezza and will be collected in the middle of the week.
Other possible costs depend on personal needs (lunch, drinks, snacks, ski tickets). There is no ATM on Diavolezza. It is therefore advisable to take enough cash with you. Credit cards or debit cards are accepted for amounts larger than typically 20.- CHF.
During the day, a serviced restaurant and a "kiosk" are available at the Berghaus.
In the following list the available instruments (telescopes and cameras) and the manuals for them are ready for download as pdf files.
Optical Telescopes and Mounts:
- 2x CGX-L Equatorial 1400 HD Telescopes
- 1x CGX-L Equatorial Mount with CGE 1400 Telescope
- 2x CGX-L Equatorial 1100 HD Telescopes
Optical Cameras and Instruments:
- SBIG CCD STX 16200-C1, Download Manual (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- SBIG CCD STT 8300M, Download Manual (PDF, 1018 KB)
- DADOS Slit Spectrometer, Download Manual (PDF, 2.6 MB)
- CCD OPS Software, Download Manual (PDF, 8.2 MB)
- Canon EOS 6D Modified, Download Manual (PDF, 12.6 MB)
- Canon EOS 90D Modified, Download Manual (PDF, 29.2 MB)
Radio Instruments:
- Here are the Download Versuchsaufbau Schemen (PPT, 242 KB) for the radio experiments (PowerPoint).
- Mount for the HI Experiment: Download Manual CGX-L Mount (PDF, 2.4 MB)
- Short instructions 13 cm Radio-Download Interferometer (PDF, 534 KB) in English.
General Information:
- Download Python-Slides (PDF, 4.1 MB) "How to keep python projects organized?"
- Question: ....have there been cases in the past years where (e.g. if the astronomy experiment failed or for other reasons) the VP refused to award the credits in the end and the participants did not get the necessary credits?
Answer: Assuming that you put a lot of effort into the astronomy experiment and are very committed to it, reasons like bad weather or failed equipment do not mean that no credits can be awarded. We always have data from previous years that can be reduced and analysied. In the report, you need to show why the experiment did not succeed. The requirements for awarding points are: 1) Accepted proposal 2) Participation in the Astrowoche at Divolezza 3) Submission of the report (if necessary with justification why it did not work). The awarding of points was refused once because the participant only submitted the proposal. The points 1) to 3) must be completed 100%, active participation is important, otherwise, you will not learn anything.... - Question: .... can you cook by yourself?
Answer: No, Diavolezza is a hotel with a kitchen. For safety reasons (fire police) cooking is not allowed, not even boiling hot water. We provide warm tea and coffee during the night. - Question: .... is it possible to add a part of the luggage like a big backpack or skis to the transport of the Astro equipment?
Answer: No, we have over 1.5 tons of instruments with accessories and unfortunately there is no room for private luggage.
Stand: 10.01.25/ag