Solar System Dynamics

The force of gravity acting over eons has provided the solar system with an intricate dynamical structure, much of it revealed by recent space missions. This comprehensive introduction to the dynamical features of the solar system also provides all the mathematical tools and physical models needed for a complete understanding of the subject. Clearly written and well illustrated coverage shows how a basic knowledge of the two- and three-body problems and perturbation theory can be combined to understand features as diverse as the tidal heating of Jupiter's moon Io, the origin of the Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt, and the radial structure of Saturn's rings. Problems at the end of each chapter and a free Internet Mathematica® software package help students to fully develop their understanding of the subject. This volume provides an authoritative textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on planetary dynamics and celestial mechanics. It also equips students with the mathematical tools to tackle broader courses on dynamics, dynamical systems, applications of chaos theory and nonlinear dynamics. Written by two leading figures in planetary dynamics, it is a benchmark publication in the field and destined to become a classic. "Solar System Dynamics provides students with a complete introduction to understanding the intricate and often beautiful resonant structure of the Solar System. Step-by-step, it shows how a basic knowledge of the two- and three-body problems and perturbation theory can be combined to understand features as diverse as the tidal heating of Jupiter's moon Io, the unusual rotation of Saturn's moon Hyperion, the origin of the Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt, the radial structure of Saturn's A ring, and the long-term stability of the Solar System. Problems at the end of each chapter and a free Internet Mathematica software package (that includes animations and computational tools) are provided to help students to test and develop their understanding." "Solar System Dynamics provides students with a clear, comprehensive and authoritative textbook for courses on Solar System dynamics, planetary dynamics and celestial mechanics. It also provides the necessary mathematical tools for them tackle more general courses on dynamics, dynamical systems, applications of chaos theory and non-linear dynamics."--Jacket The Solar System is a complex and fascinating dynamical system. This is the first textbook to describe comprehensively the dynamical features of the Solar System and to provide students with all the mathematical tools and physical models they need to understand how it works. It is a benchmark publication in the field of planetary dynamics and destined to become a classic. Clearly written and well illustrated, Solar System Dynamics shows how a basic knowledge of the two- and three-body problems and perturbation theory can be combined to understand features as diverse as the tidal heating of Jupiter's moon Io, the origin of the Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt, and the radial structure of Saturn's rings. Problems at the end of each chapter and a free Internet Mathematica® software package are provided. Solar System Dynamics provides an authoritative textbook for courses on planetary dynamics and celestial mechanics. It also equips students with the mathematical tools to tackle broader courses on dynamics, dynamical systems, applications of chaos theory and non-linear dynamics. The first comprehensive introduction to the dynamics of the Solar System, and a benchmark publication in the field of planetary dynamics. Includes problems and a free Internet Mathematica (R) software package. An authoritative textbook for courses on planetary dynamics and celestial mechanics.