This accessible text on classical celestial mechanics, the principles governing the motions of bodies in the Solar System, provides a clear and concise treatment of virtually all of the major features of solar system dynamics.

Building on advanced topics in classical mechanics such as rigid body rotation, Langrangian mechanics, and orbital perturbation theory, this text has been written for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in astronomy, physics, mathematics, and related fields. Specific topics covered include Keplerian orbits, the perihelion precession of the planets, tidal interactions between the Earth, Moon, and Sun, the Roche radius, the stability of Lagrange points in the three-body problem, and lunar motion. More than 100 exercises allow students to gauge their understanding, and a solutions manual is available to instructors. Suitable for a first course in celestial mechanics, this text is the ideal bridge to higher level treatments.

Review

"Fitzpatrick presents a clear exposition of the main principles of celestial mechanics ... Each chapter ends with a number of well-thought-out problems with a nice range of difficulty from straightforward to quite challenging. The author designed the book for upper-level undergraduates and beginning graduate students who have completed courses in classical mechanics and multivariate vector calculus. Professionals from other branches of astronomy will also find this a handy review and reference ... Highly recommended" - R.R. Erickson, Lycoming College, CHOICE March 2013

"Fitzpatrick’s text is excellent...exposition is relatively flawless in its execution...a valuable addition to the pedagogy of the field and has perhaps the clearest exposition of any celestial mechanics text for upper-level undergraduate students. For some students, Fitzpatrick will be approaching perfection...." - Arlin Crotts, Columbia University, Physics Today, May 2013

"I found the text well written and illustrated, and the material has clearly undergone several tests in the classroom...I recommend this stimulating book to anyone interested in making first steps in celestial mechanics." - Thomas Peters, Contemporary Physics, May 2013

"More than 100 exercises allow students to gauge their understandings; and a solutions manual is available to instructors. Suitable for a first course in celestial mechanics, this text is the ideal bridge to higher level treatments."

-Mathematical reviews

Book Description

A clear, concise introduction to all the major features of solar system dynamics, ideal for a first course.

About the Author

Richard Fitzpatrick is Professor of Physics at the University of Texas, Austin, where he has been a faculty member since 1994. He earned his Master's degree in Physics at the University of Cambridge and his DPhil in Astronomy at the University of Sussex. He is a longstanding Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and author of Maxwell's Equations and the Principles of Electromagnetism (2008).