Solar System Astrophysics (eBook)

Preface 5
Acknowledgments 7
Contents 9
1. Perceptions of the Solar System in History 15
References 21
Challenges 22
2. Basic Tools and Concepts 23
2.1 Circular Arcs and Spherical Astronomy 23
2.2 Properties of Ellipses 37
References 42
Challenges 42
3. Celestial Mechanics 44
3.1 The Two-Body Problem 44
3.2 Orbital Elements 48
3.3 The Restricted Three-Body System 50
3.4 Computation of Ephemerides 51
3.5 Kepler’s Equation 54
3.6 Uses and Limitations of Two and Three-Body Solutions 58
3.7 Spin–Orbit Coupling 60
3.8 Perturbations 65
References 71
Challenges 72
4. The Core of the Solar System: The Sun 73
4.1 The Solar Context 73
4.2 The Sun as a Star in the Milky Way Galaxy 74
4.3 Observable Properties of the Quiet Sun 77
4.4 The Sun’s Radiation 78
4.5 The Photosphere 86
4.6 The Chromosphere 93
4.7 The Corona 96
4.8 Line Absorption and Emission 97
4.9 Helioseismology 99
References 104
Challenges 105
5. General Properties of the Terrestrial Planets 107
5.1 Overview of Terrestrial Planets 107
5.2 Bulk Properties 108
5.3 Gravitational Potential Fields 110
5.4 Structure of the Earth 113
5.5 Planetary Surfaces 134
5.6 Addendum: Properties of Legendre Polynomials and Associated Legendre Functions 138
References 139
Challenges 140
6. Planetary Heat Flow and Temperatures 141
6.1 Heat Flow 141
6.2 Geotherms 153
6.3 Solar Heating 154
References 160
Challenges 160
7. Rocks and Minerals 161
7.1 Rocks 161
7.2 Minerals 163
7.3 Mineral Content of Igneous Rocks 174
7.4 Phase Transitions 177
7.5 Densities of Minerals 182
7.6 Seismic Discontinuities in the Earth’s Mantle 182
7.7 Relationship of Phase Diagrams to Seismic Discontinuities 183
7.8 The Core–Mantle Boundary and the D'' Layer 184
References 185
8. The Moon’s Surface, Structure, and Evolution 186
8.1 Surface Composition 186
8.2 Lunar Surface Characteristics 188
8.3 Seismic Results 195
8.4 Geochemical Evolution 199
8.5 Dynamical History of the Moon 203
References 205
Challenges 206
9. Surface Science of the Terrestrial Planets 207
9.1 Mercury 207
9.2 Venus 217
9.3 Mars 238
References 255
Challenges 256
Index 258