ASTM001/MTH724U SOLAR SYSTEM (2011/12)

http://www.maths.qmul.ac.uk/~cho/ASTM001/MTH724U
The Course
As the planetary system most familiar to us, the Solar System presents the best opportunity to study questions about the
origin of life and how enormous complexity arises from simple physical systems in general. This course surveys the
physical and dynamical properties of the Solar System. It focuses on the formation, evolution, structure and interaction
of the Sun, planets, satellites, rings, asteroids and comets. The course applies basic physical and dynamical principles
(such as orbital dynamics and elementary differential equations) needed for the study of the Solar System. However,
prior knowledge in these topics is not necessary as they will be introduced as required. As far as possible the course will
also include discussions of very recent exciting developments in the formation of planetary and satellite systems and
extrasolar planets.

Schedule and Lectures

The lectures take place on Tuesday afternoons at 2.00pm in Room 103 on the first floor of the Mathematics Building,
starting on 27th September. Each lecture lasts approximately 2 hours but there is a ~10 minute break in the middle.
Students are asked to sign an attendance sheet at each lecture.

Textbook
Two recommended texts for the course are:

“Solar System Dynamics” by C.D. Murray and S.F. Dermott (Cambridge University Press)
“Planetary Sciences” by Imke de Pater and Jack J. Lissauer (Cambridge University Press)

Students are not required to purchase or know all the material in the books. However, it will be useful to have handy
access to them. There are at least two copies of each text available in the Library. Supplementary reading material may
be distributed in class or via the class website. Students who wish further details on some introductory aspects of the
course may wish to consult the following books (copies are in the Library):

“Physics of the Solar System” by B. Bertotti et al. (Kluwer Academic Publishers)

“The New Solar System (4th Edition)” by J. K. Beatty et al. (Cambridge University Press/Sky Publishing)
“Physics and Chemistry of the Solar System (2nd Edition)” by J. S. Lewis (Elsevier Academic Publishers)

Coursework
Coursework exercises will be suggested at various times throughout the course. Students are strongly encouraged to
attempt solutions to these questions independently and/or via discussions with other students. The exercises are not
counted towards the course mark, but students should be aware that the type of questions they will be required to answer
in the written examination may be similar to those in the coursework questions. Students wishing feedback are
encouraged to ask question during the lecture or the break and may come by during office hours.

Written Examinations
The written examination counts 100% toward the final marks for the course. The exam will take place in the normal
examination period (i.e. May or June). The exam will last 3 hours.

Questions and Concerns

If you have any problems with any aspects of the course, please feel free to see me either before the lectures, during
office hours, or at some mutually convenient time in my office (Room 353 in the Mathematics Building; telephone 020
7882-5498; email: J.Cho@qmul.ac.uk).

Other Information
Students are encouraged to attend the Astronomy Unit Seminars that take place in the Room 103 of the Mathematics
Building at 2.30pm on most Fridays during the term. Some of these seminars are on topics related to those covered in
the course. On the second Friday of each month from October to April, the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)
organises meetings that take place at Burlington House in Piccadilly. Some of these meetings could be of interest to
students.

James Cho
September 2011