ASTR630 Planetary Science, Fall 2018 Homework Assignment #1

1. Problem 1.3.I Assume that the planet's spin axis is perpendicular to its orbit for all parts of this problem.

2. Problem 2.2.I (Optional) This is probably the hardest problem we'll look at this semester.

3. Problem 2.4.I: For part a), calculate also the velocity (relative to Earth) necessary to i) hit the Sun, ii) leave the Solar System, iii) go into a circular orbit about the Sun at i~90 degrees, and iv) reach Mercury's orbit. Rank in order of increasing difficulty. Which have our spacecraft done? Note: the first edition of the book does not have parts d) and e)!

4. Problem 2.10.I Warning: N-body integration code required. Start early on this one.

5. Problem 2.16.I. Now, work out the potential at any point interior to a spherical shell. (Optional) Can you work out the potential at any point interior to an ellipsoidal shell?

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