The small bodies of the solar system

Duration

15h Th, 5h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Emmanuel Jehin

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Small solar system bodies (asteroids , comets and meteors ) are an important source of information to understand the origin and evolution of the Solar System. These bodies, mostly intact since the formation of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago , deliver, through their study (dynamics, composition, etc. ) important informations about the physical and chemicals conditions that were prevailing at those early times. This is a very active area of ¿¿research that had in recent years many important advances thanks to, among others things, space missions. The course aims to make an overview of the various small bodies, from tiny interplanetary dust particules of the zodiacal light to the recently discovered dwarf planets, through comets and asteroids, the leftover of the primitive accretion disk, and by establishing many links between the different classes.
Table of Contents :
1 . asteroids 2 . Meteors and meteorites 3 . comets 4 . Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNO )
TP Observations of comets and asteroids with the TRAPPIST robotic telescope installed in Chile.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The aims of the lecture are:
(1) to provide the student with basic information on the different categories of small bodies; (2) to illustrate different physical problems related to the study of small bodies; (3) to present the different observational approaches of small bodies; (4) to help the student to get the big picture that emerges from the study of small bodies for the understanding of the solar system; (5) to promote interest in research across a range of exciting topics and many open questions ; (6) to generate interest for observational astronomy through the use of the TRAPPIST robotic telescope (discovery of new asteroids)

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge of physics, at the level of bachelor in science.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The student will prepare a presentation of about 1/2 hour to resume a paper related to the lecture.
The student will learn during the laboratory the observing techniques of asteroids and comets, realize his own observations, learn the basic techniques for dealing with CCD data. The student will learn to calculate the orbital parameters from the observations.     

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Theoretical lectures of two hours (projection of slides and discussions). Laboratory of two hours (with laptops)  Second semester.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

The lectures are given by visio-conference and the exams will also be done remotely if it is not possible to meet face to face. It does not have any impact on the way the oral exam will be perform. The requests are the same (present a paper and questions & answers)
 

Recommended or required readings

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

Oral examination. The student will prepare a presentation of about 1/2 hour on a paper related to the lecture.
Series of questions related to the lecture and linked to the paper.
By Visio-conference with Lifesize or face to face if it is allowed again

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Contacts Emmanuel Jehin Institut d'Astrophysique et de Géophysique, Bât. B5c, allée du 6 Août, 4000 Liège 1 (SartTilman). Tél.: 04/366.97.26 E-mail : ejehin@ulg.ac.be