MN-GM-GEOSOSYS

Specialisation Module: Geophysics of the Solar System
Identification number MN-GM- GEOSOSYS		Workload 180 h	Credits 6	Term 1st - 3rd Semester	Offered Every year	Start WiSe	Duration 1 semester
1	Course types a) Lecture b) Exercis			Contact time 30 h 30 h		Private study 60 h 60 h
2	Module objectives and skills to be acquired Students will get an overview of the planetary bodies in our solar system, their geophysical properties and interactions. Acquired skills are mathematical/geophysical tools to describe: global properties of planetary bodies, dynamical evolution of planetary bodies. Non-specific skills: Critical assessment of scientific knowledge.
3	Module content Structure/Overview of the solar system Formation of the solar system Dynamics of the solar system: Point masses and Kepler's laws n-body problem Dynamics on finite rigid bodies (e. g. precession and nutation) Dynamics of non-rigid bodies (tidal interactions) Internal structure of the planets Planetary atmospheres Planetary magnetic fields, their space plasma environments including aurorae The sun Minor bodies: Comets, asteroids, ... Extra-solar solar planets Coordinate systems and time Literature: Beatty et al., The New Solar System, Sky Publishing Corporation and Cambridge University Press. Advanced Literature: Baumjohann und Treumann, Basic Space Plasma Physics, Imperial College Press.
4	Teaching methods Lectures and exercises
5	Prerequisites (for the module) Formal: None. The content of the course requires the undergraduate knowledge of mathematics, physics, especially in classical mechanics, ordinary differential equations, Laplace equation in spherical coordinates.
6	Type of examination At the beginning of the lecture-free period, there is a 120 to 180-minute written examination, the content of which is the material from the lecture and exercises. Successful completion of the exercises is required for admission to the examination; for this, the acquisition of 50% of the points to be achieved is sufficient. A repeat examination is offered before or at the beginning of the following semester. The examination grade is the module grade. In the case of two passed examinations (see § 20 paragraph 10 examination regulations), the better grade is the module grade.
7	Credits awarded The module is passed, and the credit points will be awarded, if the written examination is passed.
8	Compatibility with other curricula Suitable as an elective course for physics students.
9	Proportion of final grade Weight of the module grade in the overall grade: 6/150 (4 %)
10	Module coordinator Joachim Saur
11	Further information Version: 2023-03-23