3 credits
Fall 2026 Lecture Departmental CreditUpper Division
The goal of the course is twofold. First, you will develop quantitative skills to understand the orbital motions of planets and minor bodies in planetary systems, both in our solar system and in exosolar systems. Second, you will develop practical skills and techniques for using computers to solve scientific problems. We will begin with classical analyses of the two-body and N-body problems. We will then learn about modern, powerful, analytical and numerical techniques. We will then see how these techniques are applied to solving real problems in understanding the origin and evolution of planetary systems. These problems will include understanding planet formation, planet migration, resonance dynamics and resonance capture, tidal evolution of planets and natural satellites, and the collisional evolution of small body populations. Permission of instructor required.
Learning Outcomes1Demonstrate proficiency with modern numerical methods and tools.
2Demonstrate proficiency with methods of analysis and theory related to the dynamics of solar system bodies.
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.