Syllabus for Celestial Mechanics

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• account for the basics of celestial mechanics
• perform detailed calculations of the two-body problem
• explain the basics within perturbation theory and the N-body problem
• explain how the modern scientific research of celestial mechanics is performed

Content

The two- and N-body problem. Calculations of position coordinates from orbital elements. Calculations of orbital elements from observational data. Numerical calculations of orbits. Evolution of orbits for asteroids and comets. The Lagrangian planetary equations. Basic rocket science.

Instruction

Lectures, exercises, and student presentations.

Assessment

Two hand-in exercises, 1.5 credits each. Oral and written presentation of individual study, 2 credits.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.