Astronomy and geophysics [ LPHY1261 ]

   The following topics will be discussed in this course:

-         Astronomy and coordinate reference systems ; astronomical localisation of a site at the surface of the Earth.

-         Introduction to the geometry and dynamics of the Earth. Contribution from the observation of artificial satellites. Acceleration of gravity. (For details : see the course of Geophysics)

-         Rotation of the Earth, precession, nutations, the motion of the terrestrial pole.

-         Motion of the Earth around the Sun. Concepts of time. Consequences in terms of climat.

-         The solar system : structure, composition, motion, mass, dimensions and characteristics of the planets.

-         Fundamental characteristics of stars. The colour-magnitude diagramme.

-         Systems of double and multiple stars. Exo-planets.

-         Stellar formation and evolution.

-         Structure of the Milky Way. Global structure of the Universe.

This course will give a first knowledge of the Earth and of the universe in general to the students; it will show the evolution to the recent developments of studies related to spherical astronomy, geometrical and dynamic geodesy, Earth rotation, geophysics, and astrophysics.

The following topics will be discussed in this course:

-         Astronomy and coordinate reference systems ; astronomical localisation of a site at the surface of the Earth.

-         Introduction to the geometry and dynamics of the Earth. Contribution from the observation of artificial satellites. Acceleration of gravity. (For details : see the course of Geophysics)

-         Rotation of the Earth, precession, nutations, the motion of the terrestrial pole.

-         Motion of the Earth around the Sun. Concepts of time. Consequences in terms of climat.

-         The solar system : structure, composition, motion, mass, dimensions and characteristics of the planets.

-         Fundamental characteristics of stars. The colour-magnitude diagramme.

-         Systems of double and multiple stars. Exo-planets.

-         Stellar formation and evolution.

-         Structure of the Milky Way. Global structure of the Universe.

Pre-requisite: General background in mechanics from first year of Baccalaureate, such as moment of inertia, rotation of a body, etc. Support: A syllabus is available at the DUC. Evaluation: A written examination containing several theoretical questions on the matter given during the course and one or two exercises similar to those given during the exercise sessions. Note: (1) One lecturer alternatively each year (V. Dehant (even years) / J.-P. van Ypersele de Strihou (odd years)) for the course; and for the exercises and the Planetarium session, one assistant (L. Koot, contractual at the Royal Observatory of Belgium, for 2006). (2) The session at the Planetarium is offered to the students following the course by the Royal Observatory of Belgium. A specialized technician and a scientist from the Planetarium are provided by the Royal Observatory of Belgium to the students for this session.