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Welcome to Astro 342 for Fall 2006!
Instructors: Prof. Curt Struck and Prof. Steven Kawaler
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
From the course catalog:
Astro 342. Introduction to Solar System Astronomy
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.
Prereq: Phys 222.
Analytical and comparative studies of solar system objects - planets,
satellites, rings, asteroids, comets, meteoroids, and interplanetary dust -
with emphasis on the physical processes affecting tem, their interactions,
and their evolution. Orbital mechanics, including perturbations, stability,
and resonances. Tidal forces and effects. Radiation laws and thermal
physics with applications. Brief study of the Sun as a star, and of stellar
evolution. Origin and evolution of the solar system. Detection of other
planetary systems. Nonmajor graduate credit.
We meet at 2:10-3:00 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Room 38 Physics.
Current Stuff
- Final grades have been posted on WebCT. Have a great holiday break!
- Lecture Notes are now complete for the term.
Previous stuff
- Project presenations: Click here
to recall the presentation time for your group, and for some suggestions
for your presentations. Note that the last day for presentations was at
the time designated for our ``final'' Tuesday, Dec. 12, 12-2PM.
- Exam 3 was Friday, December 8 in class.
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Term project things:
- Overview of term project
- Project Exercise 3
was due on Wednesday, December 6.
- Groups presenting on December 4 can hand in the exercise
as late as Friday, December 8.
- Project Exercise 2
was due Wednesday, November 29, 2006
- Note:
- Teams were formed before
Proj. Ex. 1 was due
- Each team should turn in only 1 copy of each Project Exercise
-
Problem Set #5 was due Monday, November 13, 2006
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Problem Set #4 was due October 30, 2006
- Problem Set #3 was due on October 16
- Reading for the week of October 2, 9: Planetary Interiors
- M&P Chapter 8, to p. 211
- then 211-223
- 230-231
- Reading for the weeks of October 9, 16: Planetary Surfaces
- Chapter 9, p. 237-246 (scan)
- pp. 246-264
- Chapter 10, p. 271-284
- pp.287-293
- pp. 294-313
- Topic List for Exam #1
- Solar
Variations and Global Warming: a news item from LiveScience.com.
- Article on the Interplanetary Transport Network mentioned in class on 9/11/06.
- Full text available through Web CT
- Problem Set #2 was due September 25
- Problem Set #1: was Due Sept. 11
Course Info