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Overview of Astronomy 121

Overview of Astronomy 121. The Solar System: A study of Planetary Surfaces and Properties. Main Learning Goals. To gain an understanding of some of the detailed properties of the various objects that make up our solar system  wealth of imaging data available.

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Overview of Astronomy 121

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  1. Overview of Astronomy 121 The Solar System: A study of Planetary Surfaces and Properties

  2. Main Learning Goals • To gain an understanding of some of the detailed properties of the various objects that make up our solar system  wealth of imaging data available. • To achieve a coherent understanding of how the solar system was able to form in the Galaxy and the probability that similar formation processes occurred elsewhere  are there other earth’s out there?

  3. Course Organization - Modular • Begins with a historical overview of various models of the solar system  this provides an importance illustration of the link between cultural bias and scientific model making. • This also provides a good overview of the high and low points of the Scientific Method as practiced throughout history

  4. Module 2 • Look at the overall properties of the Solar System • Use the bulk properties of the planets to constraint theories on how the solar system formed • Study in detail the properties of the moon and why they suggest an usual formation scenario for the moon.

  5. Module 3 Detailed Study of the Inner Planets • Surface geology and active processes on the Earth • Long dead Mercury • Our improved understanding of Venus • Why all the attention on Mars  did early life really form there? • What does the asteroid belt tell us about planetary formation?

  6. Module 4 – The Outer Plants • Focus on the Galilean Satellite System – 4 unique worlds • Properties of Jupiter and Saturn – how do they differ? • The Enigmatic Titan  surface pools of liquid hydrocarbons? • Strange active surface properties of Uranus and Neptune

  7. Module 5: Extrasolar Planetary Systems and Life • Detection Methods for planets around nearby stars • Formation of Planetary Atmospheres • Biochemical Evolution in Planetary Oceans • How life arose on the Earth

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