Astronomy & space · self-study course
Orbits, missions and exoplanets
Explore two-body motion, spacecraft data, planet detection and atmospheric interpretation.
Your learning path
- 01
Kepler orbits and gravitational scaling
Keplerian orbits approximate isolated Newtonian two-body motion. Real trajectories can include perturbations, drag or relativistic corrections.
University · Notes · 8 questions - 02
Space missions, communications and measurement
A mission trades measurement goals against mass, power, thermal control, communications and trajectory constraints. No single orbit is best for every goal.
University · Notes · 8 questions - 03
Exoplanet transits and radial velocities
A planet crossing a star's visible disk can cause a periodic brightness dip. For an idealized small dark planet and uniform stellar disk, depth≈(Rp/Rstar)².
University · Notes · 8 questions - 04
Planetary atmospheres and habitability claims
A simple equilibrium-temperature model balances absorbed stellar power and emitted thermal power. Albedo, redistribution and greenhouse effects require separate treatment.
University · Notes · 8 questions