ASTR/GEOL/ATOC 5835: Graduate Seminar in Planetary Sciences

University of Colorado at Boulder, Spring 2009

Tuesdays 4:00-4:50 pm, Duane E126, 1 credit hour

I. Instructor:

Dr. Brian Hynek (phone: 5-4312; hynek@lasp.colorado.edu)

Office: Duane D-137 (office hours: immediately following class or by appt. or when you can catch me in)

II. Course Description and Objectives:

For this seminar, we will examine the polar regions of Mars and the processes that have shaped them. Emphasis is on spacecraft observations and their interpretation. We will survey both polar regions with orbital data and the known surface-atmosphere interactions. The class will culminate with an investigation of the Phoenix Polar Lander results.

III. Readings:

This course will utilize selected book chapters for the overview and then specific journal articles. Digital copies will be emailed or photocopies of these articles will be handed out in class.

IV. Class format and expectations:

Good science requires active and critical thought. Therefore, participation and discussion are keys to success in this course, as in the scientific process. Students are expected to read and comprehend journal articles, verbally summarize and discuss key points, realize and critically examine the applied methods and assumptions, and consider implications of the work.

An important aspect of this course is for students to practice critically evaluating research and coherently communicating it to their peers. After a few introductory sessions, the students will “take over”, and present articles to the rest of the class. Presentations will be evaluated and critiqued, in a constructive manner meant to improve students’ communication of scientific information. Presenters are expected to competently answer questions from the audience on the research topic. Each student will give two 20 minute presentations during the semester covering a relevant journal article.

V. Notices and Disclaimers:

A. Special Needs: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to Dr. Hynek a letter from Disability Services early in the semester so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities (303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.colorado.edu/sacs/disabilityservices).

B. Observances: If religious or commemorative observances conflict with scheduled exams or assignments, please submit written notification to Dr. Hynek as soon as possible (preferably at least two weeks) in advance of the conflict, to request a mutually acceptable accommodation.

C. Honor Code: All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

D. Discrimination and Sexual Harassment: The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment, and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships applies to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh

Date	Topic	Reading	Presenters
1/13	Intro, Overview of Mars		Hynek
1/20	Overview of Mars’ Poles	Michael Carr, The Surface of Mars, Chapter 10 - Poles, 2006	Hynek
1/27	Subsurface Ice Detection	Boynton et al., Global Hydrogen Distribution, Science 2002 Feldman et al., Global Neutron Distribution, Science 2002	Kennda Raina
2/3	Radar sounding of the poles	Phillips et al., Mars North Polar Deposits, Science 2008 Plaut et al., Radar Sounding of South Polar Layers, Science 2008	Roger Phillips (SwRI)
2/10	Annual Ice Cap Mass Exchange	Zuber et al., Seasonal CO2 Snow Measurements, Science 2001 Bibring et al., Perennial Water Ice Identified, Nature 2004	Timothy ?
2/17	Obliquity and Ice Ages	Schorghofer, Mars Ice Age Dynamics, Nature 2007 Forget et al., Tropical Glaciers at High Obliquity, Science 2006	Erik Ben
2/24	Modern Climate Change at High Latitude	Mustard et al., Recent Climate Change, Nature 2001 Malin et al., Modern Polar CO2 Loss, Science 2001	Jianbao Raina
3/3	Ice-Related Geomorphology	Thomas et al., N-S Polar Geology Differences, Nature 2000 Kieffer et al., CO2 geysers, Nature 2006	Andy Trinity
3/10	High Latitude Periglacial Landforms	Mellon et al., Periglacial Landforms Near Phoenix, JGR 2008	? - observations Ben - model
3/17	Life at the poles	Wynn-Williams and Edwards, Antarctic Life & Mars, PSS 2000 Jakosky et al., Subfreezing Activity of Microbes, Astrobio 2003	Jessica Margaret
3/24	Spring Break
3/31	Phoenix Mission Overview	Smith et al., Phoenix Mission Overview, JGR 2008	Emma - Mission goals Timothy - Instruments
4/7	Phoenix Results I History of Water Ice	Smith et al., Water overview, LPSC 1329/ Renno, stable water, LPSC 1440 Sizemore, Ice depth LPSC 1940/Mellon polygons LPSC 1904	Trinity Jessica
4/14	Phoenix Results II Geology	Zent, TEGA, LPSC 1125/ Kounaves, carbonates, LPSC 2489 N/A	Andy Kennda
4/21	Phoenix Results III Meteorology	Hudson., Meteorology LPSC 1804/Holstein-Rathlou, Winds LPSC 1548 Whiteway Lidar results LPSC 2202/Tamppari MRO-PHX atm LPSC 2000	Addie Jianbao
4/28	Phoenix Results IV Habitability	Stoker, habitability, LPSC 2082/Young, Wet Chem, LPSC 1178 Archer, organics, LPSC 2077 /Hanley, perchlorates, LPSC 1380	Robbie Margaret
Final Exam Period	Mars Ocean Debate	Carr and Head, Testing the Oceans Hypothesis, JGR 2003 Taylor Perron et al., Evidence of Oceans in Topography, Nature 2007	Emma Robbie