| Module Identifier |
PH29610 |
| Module Title |
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES |
| Academic Year |
2005/2006 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr Andrew R Breen |
| Semester |
Semester 2 |
| Other staff |
H.A Barnes, Dr Sian A Jones |
| Pre-Requisite |
Satisfactory completion of part 1 of the degree scheme. |
| Mutually Exclusive |
PH28720 |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | lectures |
| |
Seminars / Tutorials | 3 seminars |
| |
Seminars / Tutorials | poster presentation workshop |
| |
Practical | practicals |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Examination | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | Worksheets | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | poster presentation | 10% |
| Supplementary Exam | 3 Hours examination | 100% |
|
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Explain how observations enable us to probe planetary interiors.
2. Explain the balance of energy in an atmospheric system.. Solve simple problems in radiative transfer.
3. Explain the vertical structure of the neutral atmosphere in terms of the underlying physics.
4. Discuss the factors controlling fluid flow above a planetary surface.
5. Use a computational modelling suite to derive flow patterns above a planetary susrface, display the results using a visualisation system and interpret them in terms of the underlying physics.
6. Use the model results to plan the best path for an airbourne planetary robot to follow above the terrain for specificexperiment targets.
7. Present the results in poster form.
Aims
Planetary science is one of the fastest-developing fields of solar system science. In particular, recent years have seen rapid advances in studies of planetary atmospheres. This new module provides an introduction to the physics and exploration of planetary atmosphere, leading up to a series of workshops in interpreting the results of modelling planetary atmospheres - an importantintroduction to the use of computational modelling and data visualisation.
Brief description
This course will provide students with an overview of planetary atmospheric science, including the constraints on robotic planetary exploration and the use of computational modelling of planetary atmospheres.
Content
Atmospheric energy balance. "Greenhouse effect". Convection and atmospheric dynamics.
Vertical structure. Hydrostatic equilibrium and scale heights. Atmospheric layers.
Planetary atmospheres - differences from Earth.
Atmospheric flow - fluid mechanics as applied to atmospheres.
Modelling planetary atmospheres - approaches and constraints.
Interpreting model results for flow over a planetary surface.
Module Skills
| Problem_solving |
Students are required to apply theoretical concepts covered in lectures to specific sciences problems. |
| Research skills |
Students are required to plan the best path for an aerobot on a research mission over terrain on another planet. |
| Communication |
Students are required to present the results of the modelling section of the module via a poster. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance |
Reflection on poster results |
| Team work |
Students will work in pairs or small groups during the computational modelling section of the course. |
| Information Technology |
Use of a computational fluid flow suite to simulate the interaction of a planet's atmosphere with its surface. Use of visualisation facilities to view the results. Use of presentation softerware to generate posters. |
| Application of Number |
Solving quantitative problems will naturally involve application of number. Use of computational modelling. |
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Wallace,J.M. and Hobbs,P.V. Atmospheric Science, an Introductory Survey
0127329501
Hartmann,W.K. Moons and Planets
Wadsworth
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5