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Caltech Course Catalog / 2025-2026 Catalog / Courses 2025-26 / Planetary Physics

Ge/Ay 137 - Planetary Physics

Ge/Ay 137

Planetary Physics

9 units (3-0-6)   |  second term
Prerequisites: Ph 106 abc, ACM 95/100 ab.

A quantitative review of dynamical processes that characterize long-term evolution of planetary systems. An understanding of orbit-orbit resonances, spin-orbit resonances, secular exchange of angular momentum and the onset of chaos will be developed within the framework of Hamiltonian perturbation theory. Additionally, dissipative effects associated with tidal and planet-disk interactions will be considered.

Instructor: Batygin
Published Date: March 21, 2025