2. Planetary Orbits
A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of Astronomy and Physics
This lecture from Yale's ASTR 160 introduces methods for detecting exoplanets and addresses the fundamental challenges of astronomical measurement, including the rigorous application of physical units and significant digits in calculating celestial distances and masses.
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.
Seminar notes & discussion
No public seminar notes on this lecture yet.