Astronomy & Astrophysics

Physics 317

Homework Assignment 1
Celestial Mechanics & The Solar System

Dates:

• Homework Due - Friday, February 8
   

Homework may be turned in on during class, or placed in the box outside of my office before 5:00p.m.

 SOME IMPORTANT CONCEPTS FROM CHAPTER ONE

• What is the difference between the Heliocentric and Geocentric Models?
• Which do we (Earth) consider inferior or superior planets?
• What is retrograde motion and how can it be explained?
• What is the difference between sidereal and synodic?
• Kepler's Three Empirical Laws are what?
• Explore the wonders of the ellipse.
• How do we translate Kepler's laws into Newtonian Mechanics?

SOME IMPORTANT CONCEPTS FROM CHAPTER TWO 

• What are the physical differences between Jovian and Terrestrial planets?
• Which planets move contrary to all the other planets?
• How can we use Stefan's Law to estimate surface conditions?
• The planet's atmospheres can be explored. How do some persist?
• Moons, Rings, and Debris, OH MY!
• Comets and Dust?
• Park those satellites! Launch those rockets!