1. komponenta

Lecture type	Total
Lectures	30
Exercises	15

* Load is given in academic hour (1 academic hour = 45 minutes)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Introduce students to the bodies of the Solar system, especially to the planets.
To achieve the goals it is necessary to:
- define the body in the Solar system, their mutual positions and distances between them,
- describe internal structure of planets, discuss similarities and differences,
- describe planetary surfaces and explain relevant physical processes,
- describe planetary atmospheres, their interaction with solar radiation,
- discuss the evolution of extrasolar planets.

COURSE CONTENT:
Basic characteristics of the Solar System. The Sun as a star. Astronomical data on planets, satellites and small bodies of the Solar System. Orientation on the celestial sphere. Precession. The Earth-Moon system. The internal structure of planets. Planetary atmospheres. Planetary surfaces. Interaction of planets with the Sun. Thermal regime in the Solar System and their own planetary energy sources. Planetary cosmogony and extrasolar planets.

COURSE PLAN AND PROGRAME:
1. Introduction to the Solar System: The Sun, planets, comets, meteors, trans-Neptunian objects, comets. Units for measuring distances in the Solar System, mass distribution in the Solar System, sizes.
2. Basics of the Sun as a star. Evolution of the Sun. Physical differences between stars and planets.
3. Astronomical data on planets, satellites and small bodies of the Solar System.
4. Elements of orbits. Time changes in orbital elements and physical explanations of these changes.
5. Physical explanation of precession and nutation.
6. Orientation on the celestial sphere: horizon system and equatorial system. Sidereal and synodic times.
7. Dynamics of the Earth-Moon system. Change in the distance between the Earth and the Moon. Theories of the formation of the Moon.
8. Internal structure of planets. Comparison of the interiors of the planets of the Terrestrial group and the Jupiter group.
9. Planetary atmospheres. Comparison of the atmospheres of the terrestrial and Jupiter-group planets.
10. Planetary surfaces. Comparison of planetary surfaces.
11. Volcanism in the solar system.
12. Various interactions of planets with the Sun - influence on the magnetic fields of planets, planetary atmospheres, planetary surfaces.
13. Thermal regime in the solar system and their own planetary energy sources.
14. Theories of the formation of the solar system.
15. Extrasolar planets. Discovery of extrasolar planets. Application of knowledge about the solar system to the discovery and understanding of the formation of planets around other stars.

LEARNING MODE:
Studying literature, listening to presentations, preparing and discussing seminars

TEACHING METHODS:
Presentations, individual and group discussions, consultations.

TERMS FOR RECEIVING THE SIGNATURE:
Attending lectures 70%.

EXAMINATION METHODS:
Short presentations/seminars during the semester, presentation of the seminar and oral exam.
The exam consists of:
1. final presentation and discussion of seminars
2. oral exam
Ad 1. the student must successfully present and discuss the chosen topic of the seminar and successfully answer the questions of the teacher and/or other students.
Presentation and discussion of the seminar are requirement for taking the oral exam.
The presentation time is about 20 minutes, and the expected duration of the discussion is about 10 minutes.
Ad 2. The oral exam consists of 2-3 questions from the entire course. Duration of the exam is about 30 minutes.
The final grade is based on the results achieved from the seminar and the oral part of the exam

1. McFadden, A., Weissman, P., Torrence, V. J.: Encyclopedia of the Solar System Second edition, Elsevier Amsterdam, 2007.
2. de Pater, I., Lissauer, J.J.: Planetary Sciences, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2001.

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