Readings

Syllabus

Time/ Place/ Format:  MW: 900-1020. In JHN 117. 3 credits. Two 75 minute sessions per week.

General Description:

"Planetary sciences" combines astronomy, geology, geophysics & atmospheric sciences for understanding our solar system. "Astrobiology" is concerned with the history of life and the question of life elsewhere. This course reviews evolutionary processes on celestial bodies relevant to astrobiology, including Earth, Mars, Venus, outer planet satellites (the Galilean satellites and Titan and Triton, in particular), and extrasolar planets. Students will learn about how planetary surfaces and atmospheres have evolved and what makes a planet habitable.