PY4A03 Planetary and Space Science
Lecturers: Prof. Peter T. Gallagher (Physics) and Prof. Ian Sanders (Geology)

Course Aims

This is an upper-level undergraduate module for Senior Sophister (4th year) astrophysics students. The aim of the course is to introduce students to the physical and chemical mechanisms responsible for structuring our Solar System and other planetary systems. At the end of the course, the student will know: The properties of the Solar System; how to estimate the mass of the solar nebula; describe solar system formation theories; explain the formation and properties of planetary atmospheres and magnetospheres; explain the physics of the Sun and solar wind. The module contains 22 lectures delivered over a single term and is worth 5 ETCs.

Lecture Schedule and Notes

* Dr. Ian Sander's (Department of Geology) lecture notes on meteorites and the early solar system.

Tutorials

Past Exam Questions

Recommended Books

References