Exploring the Solar System

• • Observing the night sky, star trails, the planets as wanderers
  • Lunar orbit and phases, tidal forces, synchronous rotation
  • Modelling the formation of the Solar System
  • The Earth: structure, surface geology, atmosphere and magnetic field
  • The Moon: interior, lunar surface characteristics and theory of formation
  • The terrestrials: Mercury, Venus and Mars; comparative planetary geology
  • Planets as habitats and signs of life
  • The asteroid belt: properties and evolution
  • The giant planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune
  • Satellites and planetary rings
  • Dwarf planets, Pluto and the Kuiper Belt
  • Comets and the dirty snowball model
  • The Sun: structure, nuclear power, solar activity and its effects on Earth

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• SWI-HET602 (Not currently available)

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

This subject aims to provide an introduction to our solar neighbourhood, including terrestrial planets, giant planets, minor bodies and the Sun. The emphasis is on conceptual astronomy rather than mathematical techniques.

• Computer Test (20%)
• Newsgroups (30%)
• Essay (50%)

Current study term: 29 Aug 21 to 28 Nov 21