Introduction to Planetary Science
Course Outline

Note: All lectures are planned for 50 minutes except as noted.

1. Introduction to the solar system
2. Formation of our solar system: Formation of outer solar system
3. Formation of our solar system: Accretion of inner solar system
4. Terrestrial planet surfaces: Impact cratering and crater age dating.

5. Terrestrial planet surfaces: Volcanic processes
6. Terrestrial planet interiors: Structure, composition, tectonics, and thermal history
7. Terrestrial planet atmospheres: Composition, origin, and evolution of planetary atmospheres
8. Terrestrial planet atmospheres: What controls climate and climate evolution?

9. Geological history and habitability of Mars
10. Planetary habitability--Earth, Venus, Mars
11. Outer planet satellites: The Galilean satellites
12. Outer planet satellites: Other outer planet satellites

13. Planetary samples lab exercise--the Moon, Mars, and asteroids/meteorites
14. Outer planet satellites: Potential habitability of icy satellites
15. Asteroids, comets and Kuiper-belt objects
16. Jovian planets: Composition, interior structure, and chemical/physical processes

17. Extrasolar planets: Detection and characteristics of extrasolar planets
18. Extrasolar planets: Planetary formation and orbital evolution in other planetary systems
19. Life detection in our solar system: Approaches, upcoming missions, and opportunities
20. Life detection in other solar systems: Terrestrial Planet Finder (and related missions), planetary spectroscopy, etc.

1. Meteor Crater--half day
2. San Francisco Peaks/cinder cones/ lava flows--half day
3. Grand Canyon traverse--full day

(AM sessions run 8:30-12:00, with a half-hour break from 10:00-10:30. Lunch runs 12:00-1:00, with a half-hour presentation on the field trips during the second half. PM sessions run 1:00-5:30, with a half-hour break from 2:50-3:20. Field trips on days 1 and 2 depart at 1:15 p.m., and on day 4 at 8:00 a.m.)

Day 1:
AM: lectures 1-4
Lunch: Discussion of Meteor Crater field trip
PM: Meteor Crater

Day 2:
AM: lectures 5-8
Lunch: Discussion of Volcanoes field trip
PM: San Francisco peaks

Day 3:
AM: lectures 9-12
Lunch: nothing scheduled
PM: lectures 13-16
End of day: Discussion of Grand Canyon field trip
Evening: Visit to Lowell Observatory 10:30pm - midnight

Day 4:
AM/PM: Grand Canyon

Day 5:
AM: lectures 17-20
break at late lunch.

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