Reading assignments are given in the two required textbooks and are to be completed prior to class in the indicated sessions.
H = Hartmann, W. K. Moons and Planets. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004. ISBN: 9780534493936.
B = Beatty, J. K., et al. The New Solar System. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780521645874.
| Ses # | Topics | readings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Organization/Introduction | |
| 2 | Overview of the Solar System | H, chapters 1 and 2. B, chapter 1. |
| 3 | Overview of the Solar System (cont.) | |
| 4 | The Sun | B, chapter 3. |
| 5 | Celestial Mechanics | H, chapter 3. |
| 6 | Celestial Mechanics (cont.) Rings | B, chapter 16. |
| 7 | Exam 1 | |
| 8 | Planetary Formation | H, chapters 4 and 5. B, chapter 2. |
| 9 | Other Planetary Systems | B, chapter 28, pp. 136-140. |
| 10 | Meteorites | H, chapter 6. B, chapter 26. |
| 11 | Asteroids | H, chapter 7. B, chapters 23 and 25. |
| 12 | Comets | B, chapters 5 and 24. |
| 13 | Exam 2 | |
| 14 | Planetary Interiors | H, chapter 8. B, chapters 9 and 14. |
| 15 | Planetary Interiors (cont.) | B, chapter 4. |
| 16 | Planetary Surfaces | H, chapter 9. B, chapter 6. |
| 17 | Planetary Surfaces (cont.) | H, chapter 10. B, chapter 12. |
| 18 | Planetary Surfaces (cont.) | B, chapters 7, 8, 10, 11, and 17. |
| 19 | Satellites/Icy Bodies | B, chapters 18, 19, 21, and 22. |
| 20 | Exam 3 | |
| 21 | Planetary Atmospheres | H, chapter 11. |
| 22 | Planetary Atmospheres (cont.) | B, chapters 13, 15, and 20. |
| 23 | Planetary Atmospheres (cont.) | |
| 24 | Life in the Solar System | H, chapter 12. B, chapter 27. |
| 25 | Mars Exploration | H, chapter 13. B, chapter 11. |
| 26 | Review Session |