2. Planetary Orbits

Frontiers/Controversies in Astrophysics (ASTR 160)

Exoplanets are introduced and students learn how astronomers detect their presence as well as the challenges associated with it. Physics equations are explained as well as their importance in the context of the course. A number of problems are worked out to get students used to dealing with large numbers in calculating planetary masses, interplanetary distances, etc.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Course Logistics
06:15 - Chapter 2. Exoplanets
12:56 - Chapter 3. Physical Units and Significant Digits
33:23 - Chapter 4. Calculating the Distance between Planets and Stars

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2007.