12.400 | Spring 2006 | Undergraduate

The Solar System

Course Description

This is an introduction to the study of the solar system with emphasis on the latest spacecraft results. The subject covers basic principles rather than detailed mathematical and physical models. Topics include: an overview of the solar system, planetary orbits, rings, planetary formation, meteorites, asteroids, …
This is an introduction to the study of the solar system with emphasis on the latest spacecraft results. The subject covers basic principles rather than detailed mathematical and physical models. Topics include: an overview of the solar system, planetary orbits, rings, planetary formation, meteorites, asteroids, comets, planetary surfaces and cratering, planetary interiors, planetary atmospheres, and life in the solar system.
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets
Drawing of someone throwing a javelin around a planet.
The javelin event at the Interplanetary Olympics. Under what conditions could a javelin circle the planet and hit you in the back? (Image by MIT OpenCourseWare.)