ASTRO 6570 - Physics of the Planets

Fall. 3 credits. Student option grading.

Intended for: graduate students and seniors in astronomy, physics, engineering and related fields. Numerous difficult problem sets, some involving numerical computation.

P. Nicholson.

A graduate-level introduction to Planetary Science with an emphasis on the application of basic physical principles. Topics to be covered include: planetary dynamics, including satellite orbits, tidal interactions, resonances and ring dynamics; an introduction to the theory of planetary interiors, gravitational fields, heat sources and rotational mechanics; reflected and thermal radiation; radiative transfer and equilibrium structure dynamics of planetary atmospheres.