Astronomy Academic Program

Colby prepares students for top Ph.D. programs in astrophysics, although its astronomy courses are accessible to qualified students of all majors. The typical path to graduate work in astrophysics is based on taking all of the courses required for the physics honors major, as well as the upper level astrophysics courses, AS231, “Introduction to Astrophysics”, and AS342, “Galaxies and Cosmology”.

Students interested in astronomy are encouraged to take AS231, Introduction to Astrophysics, in their first or second year. AS231 prepares students for research in astrophysics at Colby and beyond, including NSF-funded summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) at national observatories and major universities. The course focuses on modern observational techniques and data analysis, and provides a theoretical background for core astrophysical concepts.

In AS342, Galaxies and Cosmology, focus is placed on understanding our cosmic origins, from the big bang to the formation of galaxies like our own Milky Way. Students learn about concepts such as dark energy and dark matter, and their importance in driving galaxy formation and evolution. While no prior astronomical knowledge is assumed, students interested in advanced studies in astronomy should consider taking the sequence of AS231 in the fall and AS342 in the spring.

Colby College has two research-grade computer-controlled telescopes, with primary mirror diameters of 28- and 14-inches. The 28-inch, which is on an Alt-Az mount, is equipped with a back-illuminated CCD, photometric filter wheel, an image de-rotator, and an eyepiece. The 14-inch, which is on an equatorial mount, is equipped with a liquid-nitrogen cooled CCD camera, a photometric filter wheel, a grating spectrometer, and auto-guiding. The Collins Observatory is used by students in courses such as AS151, Stars, Stellar Systems, and Cosmology, and AS231. It is also used for independent research projects and public observing nights.

Trevor Sherburne ’13, used the observatory for his senior research project to monitor the transit of an extrasolar planetary system, HD189733b, in the constellation Vulpecula. This star system is at a distance of 19.5 parsecs, or approximately 63 light years from Earth. In this project, Trevor took images over several hours for several nights in order to detect the faint eclipse caused by the planet passing in front of its parent star. By calculating the maximum drop in brightness of the parent star, Trevor was able to determine the planet’s size to a precision and accuracy that agrees with published values.

Other projects with the observatory have included monitoring supernovae as they fade in brightness post-explosion. One example is the phenomenal supernova that occurred in M82, The Cigar Galaxy, in early 2014. At a distance of 12 million light years, it was the closest supernovae to Earth in several decades.

The current observing forecast for the Collins Observatory is shown below. Clear skies are represented by shades of dark blue in the Cloud Cover row, whereas overcast skies are represented by gray or white boxes. Similarly, darker Transparency and Seeing boxes represent better observing conditions.