Sun, planets and space

The course is available as a singular course. The course is mandatory for students on the five year master study in space physics. The course is also available to exchange students and Fulbright-students

The course is concerned with the basic properties of Earth's upper atmosphere, of the planets and small objects in the solar system, of the interplanetary space and the Sun as the central star of this planetary system; it also includes the particle and field components. Present understanding of the formation of the solar system, of other solar systems and extra-solar planets will be presented. The basics of space flight and space exploration will be introduced as well as the influence of the sun and other cosmic phenomena on the Earth. The importance of space flight for other disciplines and national and international space programmes will be sketched and the state of the art of the space programmes described.

Admission requirements are general studiekompetanse + SIVING

Local admission, application code 9391 - enkeltemner i ingeniørfag.

Knowledge - The students can

• apply basic physics to describe the spatial structure and constituents of the solar system
• describe in terms of basic physics the interactions of different solar system constituents,
• describe the basic physics of space flight,
• describe major differences in the conditions of measurements and observations in space compared to on Earth.

Skills - The students can

• solve basic physics problems describing the properties and interactions of the Sun, planets and small solar system objects,
• solve basics problems of physical processes in the vicinity of planets
• calculate in first approximation the orbits of spacecraft and solar systems objects and describe parameters that enter full orbital calculations

General Competence - The students can

• describe the origin and compositions of the solar system and planetary systems in general,
• describe the Sun-Earth interactions and their influence on modern technology
• see the complementarity of space research with other disciplines,
• understand the relevance of space research and space flight for modern society.

Anbefalte forkunnskaper

FYS-0100 Basic physics, MAT-1001 Calculus 1

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• FYS-1007 Planets and stars 2 ects

Lectures: 50 hours

Exercises: 30 hours

Language of instruction and examination

More info about the coursework requirements

Re-sit examination