ASTR 3750 Planets, Moons and Rings
The course is roughly organized into 7 parts (the first very brief, the rest each probably taking about 2-3 weeks). It is intended to be a survey of planetary science, but, inevitably, we will dwell on some topics more than others. The emphasis will be on how we know rather than what we know. And on how did it get to be that way, how will it evolve - rather than facts, figures and nomenclature, i.e. comparative planetology. A major aspect of the style of the class will be developing the technique of asking good questions as much as the techniques of answering them. The aim is to learn how to set up a problem rather than solving a standard problem. Textbooks will be supplemented with readings from research literature as well as background reading - the aim being to develop the ability to critique work and to sift through material to glean useful information.
TOPICS:
1. Overview of Solar System - a whirl-wind tour.
2. Celestial Mechanics - The basic ingredients necessary for describing motions of planets, moons and spacecraft.
3. Formation of Stars / Solar Systems - Nebular Evolution: This has become a major area of research in the past few years - often neglected. We will not take the detailed chemistry approach - but explore what are the well-determined components and what are the major unknowns. We will keep in mind the clues that might be found in the smaller objects, farther out in the solar system.
4. Formation of Planets - Here we will build planets and then see how their interiors evolve, depending on various factors such as size, chemical content and heat sources.
5. The Giant Planets - JSUN (naturally) as well as those in other solar systems. This topic is sorely neglected in Hartmann - as in the planetary community. But with many discovered in other solar systems, this is a major issue.
6. Terrestrial Planets - and moons - Comparison of surfaces and relation to interiors - excuse for lots of neat pictures!
7. The Junk Left Over - The All-Important Small Stuff - Although left for last, this is one of the most important topics -
CASE STUDIES
We will use current studies (e.g. ground-based telescopes & HST) and missions to examine how major issues are (and are not) being explored.
Mars, Life and Everything
Deep Space 1
Galileo
Cassini
Future missions: Cosmos 1 - Solar Sail, Messenger, Deep Impact, Contour, Pluto, Europa Orbiter........
COURSE GOALS:
I consider this course to be training professionals - not necessarily planetary scientists - but I expect intellectual engagement at the upper division level and a standard of enquiry and presentation that is necessary in the real world (where you get paid a substantial salary). To this end, I hope that students taking this class will:
¨ Work the whole problem from start to finish: Survey the issue, analyze the problem, evaluate the answer, critique the result.
¨ Learn how to use the appropriate resources: Books, internet, journals, locals.
¨ Develop skill in using modern tools: Maple/Mathematica, IDL/Photoshop, Excel, Powerpoint / Word / Dreamweaver, etc, etc, etc.
¨ Work in a team on a project
¨ Enhance their ability to communicate through graphical and/or oral presentations.
REQUIREMENTS:
This course has pre-requisites of algebra-based physics and calculus. The course is aimed at Astronomy/Astrophysics majors and minors. Others are welcome - but we will use basic physics (e.g. Newton's laws of motion, gravitation, light/radiation, heat conduction, etc) as well as solving simple differential equations. Look at pages 50 and 178 of Hartmann for an idea of the level we will work at.
ASSESSMENT:
Homeworks 25% - out on Tuesday - due following week.
Mid-term Exam 25%
Class presentation of project 25%
WEBSITE: http://webct.colorado.edu
INSTRUCTOR:
Fran Bagenal, LASP, Duane D143 303 492-2598
Please use webct's mail facility
Office hours - after class or arrange via e-mail
TEXTS:
Both are on reserve at the Math & Physics Library (opposite classroom).
Required: Moons & Planets, W.K. Hartmann, Wadsworth, Fourth Edition. 1999
Optional: The New Solar System: Cambridge University Press, Eds. Beatty, Petersen, Chaiken, 1999. I will make chapters available to copy - but they will be black and white and you will miss out on the spectacular color.
THE LEGAL STUFF
Item 1: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services (DS) early in the semester (preferably in first 2 weeks) so that your needs may be addressed. DS determines accommodations based on documented disabilities (303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.colorado.edu/sacs/disabilityservices)
Item 2: I am willing to make reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students who have conflicts between religious observance dates and course examinations or assignments. A recently revised, somewhat more flexible, campus policy has been drafted and approved. The campus policy can be viewed at(http://www.colorado.edu/policies/index.html).
Item 3: As a result of extensive discussions with and recommendations from faculty and students, a new classroom behavior policy and associated new procedures have been adopted. Please read this information which is also at (http://www.colorado.edu/policies/index.html).
Item 4: The new Student Honor Code system has now been implemented in all schools and colleges and I direct your attention to these new policies and procedures. You can see the honor code information at ( http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/).