Celestial Mechanics
Syllabus, Bachelor's level, 1FA207
- Code
- 1FA207
- Education cycle
- First cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Physics G2F
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 30 August 2018
- Responsible department
- Department of Physics and Astronomy
Entry requirements
30 credits in mathematics and 60 credits in physics.
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 seminars.
Assessment
Two hand-in exercises, 1.5 credits each. Participation and written reports in connection with the seminars, 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.