autumn 2018
FYS-2019 Sun, planets and space - 10 ECTS
Course content
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.Objectives of the course
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 expertise - 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.
Assessment
Final 4 hour written exam counting 100%. Assessment scale: Letter grades A-F.
Re-sit examination (section 22): There is no access to a re-sit examination in this course.
Postponed examination (sections 17 and 21): Students with valid grounds for absence will be offered a re-scheduled examination during the semester if possible, otherwise early in the following semester.
See indicated sections in Regulations for examinations at the UiT for more information.
Coursework requirements
Up to three mandatory assignments during the course. Access to the final examination requires passing the mandatory assignments.
Recommended reading/syllabus
Curriculum for the course
An Introduction to the Solar System
By D. A. Rothery, N. McBride, I. Gilmour
Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781108430845
Recommended literature:
Physics of the Upper Polar Atmosphere
By Asgeir Brekke
Springer 2013
ISBN 978-3-642-27400-8
ISBN 978-3-642-27401-5
Fundamental Astronomy
Karttunen, H., Kröger, P., Oja, H., Poutanen, M., Donner, K.J. (Eds.)
Springer
ISBN 978-3-540-34144-4
ISBN 978-3-642-42110-5
Error rendering component
- About the course
- Campus: Tromsø |
- ECTS: 10
- Course code: FYS-2019
- Responsible unit
- Institutt for fysikk og teknologi
- Tidligere år og semester for dette emnet