This Honours level unit will be taught as part of the coursework component of the respective degree. Honours students have some degree of flexibility in choosing their units, and should consult with their project supervisor for the most appropriate choices. This unit is one of four units at the required level that can be undertaken in the Honours year, in addition to the research thesis project. This unit is relevant to those students intending to undertake an astrophysics, geodetic VLBI, or geophysics research project.

The successful design and execution of astrophysical observations requires an in depth knowledge of the telescope, its instruments and their operation. The aim of this project-based unit is to give students a theoretical and practical introduction to fundamental astronomical observation techniques. It will cover the design parameters which govern the performance of radio and optical telescopes, and a range of astronomical observing techniques, including radiometery, spectroscopy, interferometry and photometry. The theory covered in the lectures will be put into practice through a series of observational projects at the Mt Pleasant radio telescope and Bisdee Tier optical telescope, subject to availability.