courses:ast401
Table of Contents
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AST 401: Planets and Planetary Systems
1. Contents
1.1 Interiors of Planets
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
- Model planetary interiors using measurements of mass, moment of inertia, $J_2$, and $\Lambda$.
- Examine available data on the interiors of the solar system planets.
- Plot Earth’s density profile using seismic information and the Williams-Adams algorithm.
- Derive an equation to estimate a planet’s internal temperature from its radius, density, and heat capacity.
- Use dimensional analysis to determine the region of the lithosphere from which heat escapes.
- Explain why Earth remains hot and tectonically active using results from learning goals 4 and 5.
2. Assignments
3. Keystone project
Analyzing public data from space telescopes to detect exoplanets.
Assessment
| Assessment method | Assessment tools | Marks | Subtotal | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous assessment | Attendance | 10% | 40% | 100% |
| Punctuality | 10% | |||
| Quizzes | 10% | |||
| Assignments | 10% | |||
| Summative assessment | Midterm viva | 20% | 60% | |
| Final viva | 20% | |||
| Keystone project | 20% |
4. Textbooks
- Stephen Eales, Planets and Planetary Systems, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
- Lissauer and de Pater, Fundamental Planetary Science, Cambridge UP, 2019.
- Frontiers of Astrobiology, edited by C. Impey et al., Cambridge University Press, 2012.
- Donald Goldsmith, Exoplanets: Hidden Worlds and the Quest for Extraterrestrial Life, Harvard University Press, 2018.
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