AST 364 SOLAR SYSTEM ASTRONOMY Instructor: Anita Cochran Phone: 471-1471 Office: RLM 16.338 Office Hours: drop by any time Room: RLM 15.216B Meeting Times: TTh 11:00-12:30

OBJECTIVE:

This course offers an introduction to current research topics in planetary science. The physics of atmospheres and solid bodies will be discussed, along with geology and geologic processes. This course will investigate the current state of planets and other solar system bodies and the formation and evolution of planetary systems.

This course is intended to be as interactive as possible. To this end, questions will be posed to the students during lectures so that they may formulate theories about the current topic. Additionally, questions from students are always welcome during the lectures. The material will vary from highly descriptive to quite mathematical, as necessary.

• Introduction and overview

• Celestial mechanics

• Planetary surfaces

• Planetary interiors

• Planetary atmospheres

• Magnetospheres

• Satellites

• Asteroids

• Comets

• Meteorites and interplanetary dust grains

• The search for other planetary systems

• Circumstellar disks

• Models for planetary system formation

None required. References and handouts will be given.

This course has a substantial writing component and fulfills part of the basic education requirement in writing. Thus, there are no exams. Students will be required to submit two research papers (5-10 pages each) and three journal summaries (one page each) as well as give an oral presentation. The grade will be computed as Paper 1 (20%, due October 30), Paper 2 (35%, due December 4), journal summaries (10% each, due September 11 and 25 and October 9), and oral presentation (15%, final exam date).