ASTRONOMY 3: Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System
Winter 2012
Winter 2012
Historic Milestones:
Kepler formulated the laws of planetary motion around 1610 AD: three
laws: ellipse, equal areas, period versus distance
Newton established the principle of universal gravitation around 1700 AD
gravity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance
Laplace suggested the solar nebula hypothesis in 1796 AD: disk shaped
nursery
Main messages:
Scientific methodology: deductive reasoning,
observation-hypothesis-test-law
Conceptual and quantitative construct on the force of nature
Three law of motion: to
establish the concept of momentum (a state of uniform motion) and force
(acceleration)
Angular momentum: prepetual orbit
...
Main objectives:
To account for Kepler's laws of planetary motion with a cause
Magnitude of the force: measured through
the acceleration
Mutual attraction: To every action there
is an equal and opposite reaction
Univesal law of gravitation:
F = G M1 M2 / d^2
addition of all contribution:
Invension of calculus
Orbits and trejactories
escape speed
Tide: Moon's reaction to Earth
Einstein's theory of relativity: principle of
equivalence
warped space-time
bending of light path