ASTM001/MTH724U Solar System

Lecture 1: Introduction
Lecture 2: Structure of the solar system
Lecture 3: The two-body problem (part 1)
Lecture 4: The two-body problem (part 2)
Lecture 5: The three-body problem (part 1)
Lecture 6: The three-body problem (part 2)
Lecture 7: Tides
Lecture 8: Resonant perturbations
Lecture 9: Chaos and long-term evolution
Lecture 10: Planetary rings
Lecture 11: Comets, asteroids, dust
Lecture 12: Planet formation and structure
ASTM001/MTH724U
SOLAR SYSTEM
Semester A - 2011

Lecture 1:
Introduction
The Solar System
Mercury

• Unusual rotation
• Anomalous
precession
• Do Vulcanoids
exist?
Venus
• Unusual rotation
• Lack of small
craters
• Atmosphere
Earth
• Liquid water
• Atmosphere
• Life!
• Few impact
craters
The Moon

• Formation?
• Asymmetric faces
• Synchronous
• Receding
• Water?
Mars

• Polar caps
• Unusual rotation
• Liquid water?
• Life?
• Eccentric orbit
Asteroids
• Formation?
• Orbital
evolution
• Rotation
• Satellites
• NEOs
Jupiter
• Gas giant
• Role in orbital
evolution
• Satellite system
• Ring system
• Resonances!
• Vulcanism!
Saturn
• Gas giant
• Ring system
• Satellite system
• Resonances!
• Vulcanism
• Liquid water!
Saturn’s Rings
• Intricate structure
• Embedded
satellites?
• Gaps
• Narrow rings
• Eccentric rings
• Diffuse rings
• Lifetime problem
Uranus
• Unusual rotation
• Narrow ring
system
• No resonances!
• Inclination of
Miranda
• Orbital evolution
The Uranus System
Neptune

• Lack of satellites
• Retrograde Triton
• Eccentric Nereid
• Unusual ring
system
Neptune’s Rings
• Radial confinement?
• Azimuthal
confinement?
• Embedded
satellites?
• Stability
Pluto

• Large moon
• Unusual rotation
• Orbital evolution
• Is it a planet? (No)
Comets

• Origin?
• Evolution?
• Threat?
• Density?
• Water delivery?
Comet Halley
 Some Questions
• How did the solar system form?
• How and where do planetary
systems form?
• What determines their dynamical
evolution?
• Is the solar system stable?