| Univ. Belgrade Dr. B. Novaković | Small Solar System Objects (S2, elective, 6 ECTS) |
| Learning Outcomes: | Learning advanced and specific topics on the physical and dynamical characteristics of Small Solar System objects (aka asteroids, comets and trans-neptunian objects). By the end of this unit, students will be able to describe the characteristics of the main types of SSSOs’ and explain the different types of evolution associated with each. The students will be also able to formulate scientific questi ons about the Small Solar System objects (SSSOs) and communicate scientific ideas, procedures, results, and conclusions using appropriate formats and terminology. |
| Knowledge and Understanding: | Upon completion of the course, the students have the knowledge on origin, composition and evolution of SSSOs, and the advance understanding of scientific concepts applied to study these objects, as well as of the importance of the SSSOs in context of planetary science. By the end of this course, students will be also able to select and review the literature relevant to a problem under consideration, and to analyze qualitative and quantitative data, and explain how evidence gathered supports or refutes an initial hypothesis. |
| Applying Knowledge and Understanding: | The knowledge and understanding acquired during the course will allow students to solve different scientific problems arising in any research related to the SSSOs. They are able to analyze and evaluate different information and data-sets, and to use different models to further extend their knowledge on the topic. Especially, students will be able to perform numerical simulations of collisional and dynamical evolution of different small body populations, to recognize mechanisms responsible for these and to identify and date collisional asteroid families. |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Program | 1. Overview of populations of small solar system objects 2. Basic concepts of celestial mechanics: 2-body problem; perturbations; 3-body problem; n-body problem; disturbing function; resonances, chaotic motion; non-gravitational effects 3. Asteroid Composition and Physical Properties: The Compositional Structure of the Asteroid Belt; Mineralogy and Surface Composition of Asteroids; Taxonomy; Sizes, Shapes and Spins. 4. Evolutionary Process: Dynamical Evolution: The Dynamical Evolution of the Asteroid Belt; The Yarkovsky and YORP Effects.The Collisional Evolution of the Main Asteroid Belt; Space Weathering Processes. 5. Asteroid Families:Identification and Dynamical Properties of Asteroid Families; Physical Properties; Collisional Formation and Modeling of Asteroid Families. 6.Multiple Systems: Asteroid Systems: Binaries, Triples, and Pairs; Formation and Evolution of Binary Asteroids. 7.Trans-Neptunian objects:Origin; Orbital and Dynamical Properties; Composition and Physical Properties. 8.Comets: Orbital and Physical Characteristics; Source Regions; The Active Asteroids. Comet–asteroid continuum. |
| Description of how the course is conducted | The course consists of theory lectures presented using both, blackboard and slide presentations, accompanied by examples, exercises and hands-on experience. |
| Description of the didactic methods | Combination of different didactic methods: frontal, interactive, problem-oriented |
| Description of the evaluation methods | Written intermediate test:intended to verify that students acquired the basic knowledge on subjects covered during the first part of the course. Critical thinking activity: intended to stimulate active discussion in the classroom Analysis of a selected journal paper:aiming to test students’ ability to apply acquired knowledge Oral exam:meant to verify the students’ ability in explaining clearly and correctly problems and information |
| Adopted Textbooks | Asteroids IV, Patrick Michel, Francesca E. DeMeo, and William F. Bottke (eds.), University of Arizona Press (2015) Bruno Bertotti, Paolo Farinella, and David Vokrouhlicky: Physics of the Solar System, Kluwer Academic Publishers (2003) Selected scientific papers |
| Recommended readings | Thomas H. Burbine: Asteroids: Astronomical and Geological Bodies, Cambridge University Press (2017) Linda T. Elkins-Tanton: Asteroids, Meteorites, and Comets, Facts On File, Inc., New York (2010) Julio A. Fernandez: Comets – Nature, Dynamics, Origin, and their Cosmogonical Relevance, Springer Netherlands (2005) |
