An Introduction to Celestial Mechanics

by Fitzpatrick, Richard

• ISBN13: 9781107023819
• ISBN10: 1107023815
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-06-28
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

This accessible text on classical celestial mechanics, the principles governing the motions of bodies in the Solar System, provides a clear and concise treatment of virtually all of the major features of solar system dynamics. Building on advanced topics in classical mechanics such as rigid body rotation, Langrangian mechanics, and orbital perturbation theory, this text has been written for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in astronomy, physics, mathematics, and related fields. Specific topics covered include Keplerian orbits, the perihelion precession of the planets, tidal interactions between the Earth, Moon, and Sun, the Roche radius, the stability of Lagrange points in the three-body problem, and lunar motion. More than 100 exercises allow students to gauge their understanding, and a solutions manual is available to instructors. Suitable for a first course in celestial mechanics, this text is the ideal bridge to higher level treatments.

Table of Contents

Preface

Newtonian mechanics

Newtonian gravity

Keplerian orbits

Orbits in central force-fields

Rotating reference frames

Lagrangian mechanics

Rigid body rotation

Three-body problem

Secular perturbation theory

Lunar motion

useful mathematics

derivation of Lagrange planetary equations

expansion of orbital evolution equations

Bibliography

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.