Lecture Notes:

The 2026 course has ended. Lecture note links are now inactive.

Because planetary sciences is a fast-moving field,
all notes will be updated the next time the course is taught.

L1: Intro to Life on Earth

L2: The molecules of life  More info: Need a basic recap: Teaching videos on the basics of chirality and DNA

L3: Energy and atoms of life. What is life? - see two Readings articles on "Are Viruses Alive? and "Defining Life"
Need a basic recap: Teaching videos on the basics of ATP and Viruses and the basics of redox

L4: Solar nebula: Setting the scene -and Origin of planets. L5: More planet formation. See also required Reading: Eales Ch.8

L6: Planetary Differentation
L7: Origin of life and the earliest records of life - note that in class we see some (virtual fieldtrip) movies during this lecture
L8: Planetary Atmospheres I: Climates
L9: Co-evolution of life and planetary environment continued
L10: Planetary Atmospheres II: Chemistry and Evolution
L11: Planetary Surfaces: Volcanism and Impact Craters

To complement lectures 12-18, see  associated Reading (Ch. 6, Catling (2013)) about life in the Solar System.                                 
L12: Mars: Surface and Geology
L13+L14 Mars's atmosphere and climate; Life on Mars?
L15: Venus: Surface, Geology, Atmosphere (L16 --  notes with detail on material in L15 not covered class. Extra Venus background, if interested)
L17: Europa and Gaililean Satellites  See associated Reading about Europa.

L18: Titan, Enceladus, Triton, Pluto. 
L19: Exoplanets: Finding habitable or inhabited ones.