Astron 441: Dynamics of Planetary Systems

Website: http://faculty.wcas.northwestern.edu/yoram/astron441/astron441.html

Instructor: Yoram Lithwick  (y-lithwick@northwestern.edu)
            Dearborn 9-C

Course times: Tuesday / Thursday 11 - 12:30, Dearborn Observatory

Pre-requisites: some familiarity with (1) classical mechanics at the
level of Goldstein (including a basic understanding of Hamiltonians) and
(2) running and analyzing computer programs.
Talk to me if you are uncertain regarding pre-requisites.


Outline:  We will discuss various topics in planetary dynamics. We will
start with the 2-body problem, and then proceed to the 3-body
problem, focusing on secular and resonant perturbations. Subsequent
topics will depend on class interest, but will likely include chaos
(resonant and secular), and applications to solar and extrasolar systems. 
There will be an emphasis on both numerical and analytical techniques.


Structure of Course (tentative): Part of each class will be
led by randomly chosen students who will discuss readings and/or
problems assigned from the previous class; the other part of each
class will be led by me.

Grading: Class participation (60%). Final project and presentation of
project to class (40%)

Text: Solar System Dynamics, by C. Murray and S. Dermott