Planetary Systems (PS | SPA5241)

This course has its own web page.

Year: 2 | Semester: A | Level: 5 | Credits: 15

Course organiser: Dr Craig Agnor | Course deputy: Prof Carl Murray

Aims:

To provide students with an understanding of the physical and orbital properties of the planets and minor bodies in our Solar System. To describe the physical and statistical properties of extrasolar planets, and the methods used to detect planets outside of the Solar System. To show how basic physical principles can be used to explain the orbital and physical properties of planets. To describe current theories of the formation of planetary systems, and the origin of life.

Outcomes:

Students should: (i) Have a broad understanding of physical properties of Solar System and extrasolar planets, and the minor bodies in the Solar System, and the observational methods used to determine these. (ii) Understand how basic physical principles such as conservation of energy, (angular) momentum, and Newtonian gravity can be used to explain some of the properties of planetary systems, and be able to perform calculations using these laws (iii) Be able to describe, with reference to physical laws, formation scenarios for the Solar System and extrasolar planetary systems (iv) Be able to describe physical conditions necessary for the emergence of life, and current ideas about how life came into being

Recommended books:

The Solar System (parts 1 and 2)
N. McBride & Ian Gilmour (Open University)

The New Solar System (4th Edition), 
Eds. J. Kelly Beatty, Carolyn Collins Petersen, Andrew Chaikin