Topic outline

  • Course schedule


    Course schedule (details below in "Course topics")



    Theory session
    		Practice session    
    		Topic
    7.1.
    		 (11.1. no teaching)
    		Course introduction & information
    14.1.
    		 18.1.
    		Solar system, planets & space environment
    21.1.
    		 25.1.
    		Plasma 1: Observations
    28.1.
    		 1.2.
    		Plasma 2: Modelling
    4.2.
    		 8.2.
    		Coordinate systems & time
    11.2.
    		 15.2.
    		Orbits & celestial mechanics
    (18.2.) (22.2.)Exam week, no teaching
    25.2.
    		 1.3.
    		Emission mechanisms 1
    4.3.
    		 8.3.
    		Emission mechanisms 2
    11.3.
    		 15.3.
    		Space technology & history
    18.3.
    		 22.3.
    		Galactic astronomy 1
    25.3.
    		29.3.
    		Galactic astronomy 2
     1.4.5.4.
    		Extragalactic astronomy & cosmology
    (8.4. no teaching)
    		 12.4. Exam
    		Exam week, exam on 12.4.



    Course topics


    7.1. Introduction (AL, EK)
    • Information about the course: theory sessions & preliminary work, practice sessions & group and individual assignments, exam. Evaluation methods.
    • Contents of the course & what to expect. Universe.
    • Space scene in Finland and in Aalto: space technology, radio astronomy, space physics.

    14.1. Solar system, planets & space environment (EK)
    • Solar system structure and bodies, such as planets.
    • Space as an environment for satellites.

    21.1. Plasma 1: Observations (EK)
    • Space plasma missions and instruments.

    28.1. Plasma 2: Modelling (EK)
    • Interpretation of observations by models and simulations.

    4.2. Coordinate systems & time (MTT)

    • Celestial coordinate systems.

    • Time. Time standards.


    11.2. Orbits & celestial mechanics (JP)

    • Kepler's laws.

    • Types of orbits, orbital elements, trajectories.

    • Effect of gravity.


    25.2. Emission mechanisms 1 (JT)
    • Basics of emission mechanisms: black body radiation, synchrotron emission etc.
    • Significance in space sciences and technology.

    25.2. Emission mechanisms 2 (JT)
    • Basics of emission mechanisms continued.

    11.3. Space technology & history (JP)

    • Overview of space exploration.

    • History of space technology.



    18.3. Galactic astronomy 1 (AL)
    • Building blocks of the Milky Way: evolution & origin, structure, physics, and rotation.
    • The Galactic center.


    25.3. Galactic astronomy 2 (AL)
    • Stars.
    • Interstellar medium: dust, neutral and ionized hydrogen, molecules.

    1.4. Extragalactic astronomy & cosmology (MTT)
    • Introduction to galaxies. Redshift. Hubble's law.
    • Radio galaxies. Quasars and other active galactic nuclei. Quasar research at Metsähovi.
    • Basics of cosmology. Cosmic microwave background.

    12.4. Exam

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Course content and learning outcomes