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Programme
| 9:00 |
Philippe Jetzer: Introduction to microlensing
In the lecture I will present the basic formalism of gravitational lensing such
as the lens equation and the special case of the Schwarzschild lens with its
application in microlensing. I will discuss the microlensing probability for
different targets such as the galactic bulge, LMC, SMC and the Andromeda
galaxy as well as give a short review of the present status of microlensing
searches conducted by the various collaborations in particular with respect
to the problem of the galactic dark matter content in form of MACHOs. |
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| 10:45 |
Coffee Break |
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| 11:15 |
Martin Dominik: From
microlensing observations to science
An elaborate integrated strategy
incorporating target selection and scheduling, data flow, assessment, and
final analysis is required to ensure that the scientific goals that we aim
for are achieved. Specific issues that need to be taken care of are dealing
with uncertainties, ambiguities, and degeneracies, as well as having the
capacity to keep track with data being acquired at ever increasing rate. I
will present you with some challenges. |
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| 13:00 |
Lunch |
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| 14:45 |
Scott Gaudi:
The theory and Phenomenology of Planetary
Microlensing
I discuss the theory and phenomenology of
planetary microlensing. I begin with a review of the basic theoretical
formalism: starting with the time delay surface, and continuing with the
lens equation, I describe how critical curves, caustics, and magnifications
can be computed. I then explore the properties of the caustic curves of
planetary microlenses. I illustrate the topology of caustic curves and how
these change with the parameters of the planetary system. In addition, I
review the generic, universal behavior of images near caustics. I then delve
into the rich phenomenology and salient observable properties of planetary
microlensing light curves, and discuss how these can be intuitively
understood based on consideration of the microlensed images and shape of and
magnification near the caustics. Finally, I demonstrate how all of these
considerations can be used to roughly estimate the properties of a planetary
system giving rise to an observed light curve based purely on visual
inspection. |
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| 16:45 |
Coffee Break |
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| 17:15 |
Yiannis
Tsapras:
From raw images to lightcurves: how to make sense of
your data
I will present an overview
of astronomical image processing with special focus on the difference
imaging technique in the context of microlensing observations towards the
galactic bulge. Starting from how to calibrate the raw data, I will discuss
the various steps involved in the analysis, possible pitfalls, and how to
extract the photometric information from the images in order to construct a
clean lightcurve. Examples using the RoboNet DIA software will be given. |
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Wednesday 19 January 2011 |
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| 9:00 |
David Bennett: The Efficient Modeling of Planetary Microlensing Events
I present a general method
for the modeling of planetary microlensing events, with an emphasis on the
most difficult events which involve more than two lens masses, microlensing
parallax and/or orbital motion. Finite source calculations are done with the
image centered ray-shooting method, which can be made both highly efficient
and flexible enough to model any events. |
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| 10:45 |
Coffee Break |
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| 11:15 |
Valerio Bozza: Contour integration and downhill fitting
By Green's theorem, the two-dimensional integration on the microlensed images is written as a line integral on the image boundaries. We will discuss the advantages and the shortcomings of this method, presenting several improvements of the basic idea: parabolic correction, error control, optimal sampling, limb darkening. We will also review some basic downhill fitting methods, which rapidly provide preliminary models for microlensing events starting from suitable initial conditions.
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| 13:00 |
Lunch |
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| 14:45 |
Ian Bond: Microlensing Modelling and High
Performance Computing
I will go over the practical aspects of the
modelling and analysis of microlensing events. I will discuss two
programming environments for high performance computing: cluster computers
and GPU (graphical processor units) platforms. I will describe, with
examples, how to design and implement software to run on these platforms.
In particular, GPUs are emerging as a powerful tool for scientific
computation and their potential in microlensing modelling is promising. The
use of GPUs will be particularly emphasized in this seminar. |
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| 16:30 |
Coffee Break |
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Please fill in the form in the registration web page, by indicating that you wish to attend the school.
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There will be a free
shuttle service from Salerno to the Uiversity and vice versa.
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During the school
days, the lunch will be free for all the participants.
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