everything.study
12.400

The Solar System

Undergraduate · Historical course

Spring 2006

This is an introduction to the study of the solar system with emphasis on the latest spacecraft results. The subject covers basic principles rather than detailed mathematical and physical models. Topics include: an overview of the solar system, planetary orbits, rings, planetary formation, meteorites, asteroids, comets, planetary surfaces and cratering, planetary interiors, planetary atmospheres, and life in the solar system.

Readings

  • H = Hartmann, W. K. Moons and Planets . Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004. ISBN: 9780534493936.
    Listed reading
  • B = Beatty, J. K., et al. The New Solar System. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780521645874.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 2 · Topics: Overview of the Solar System · readings: H, chapters 1 and 2.
    Reading assignment
  • B, chapter 1.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 4 · Topics: The Sun · readings: B, chapter 3.
    Reading assignment
  • Ses #: 5 · Topics: Celestial Mechanics · readings: H, chapter 3.
    Reading assignment
  • Rings B, chapter 16.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 8 · Topics: Planetary Formation · readings: H, chapters 4 and 5.
    Reading assignment
  • B, chapter 2.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 9 · Topics: Other Planetary Systems · readings: B, chapter 28, pp. 136-140.
    Reading assignment
  • Ses #: 10 · Topics: Meteorites · readings: H, chapter 6.
    Reading assignment
  • B, chapter 26.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 11 · Topics: Asteroids · readings: H, chapter 7.
    Reading assignment
  • B, chapters 23 and 25.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 12 · Topics: Comets · readings: B, chapters 5 and 24.
    Reading assignment
  • Ses #: 14 · Topics: Planetary Interiors · readings: H, chapter 8.
    Reading assignment
  • B, chapters 9 and 14.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 15 · Topics: Planetary Interiors (cont.) · readings: B, chapter 4.
    Reading assignment
  • Ses #: 16 · Topics: Planetary Surfaces · readings: H, chapter 9.
    Reading assignment
  • B, chapter 6.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 17 · Topics: Planetary Surfaces (cont.) · readings: H, chapter 10.
    Reading assignment
  • B, chapter 12.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 18 · Topics: Planetary Surfaces (cont.) · readings: B, chapters 7, 8, 10, 11, and 17.
    Reading assignment
  • Ses #: 19 · Topics: Satellites/Icy Bodies · readings: B, chapters 18, 19, 21, and 22.
    Reading assignment
  • Ses #: 21 · Topics: Planetary Atmospheres · readings: H, chapter 11.
    Reading assignment
  • Ses #: 22 · Topics: Planetary Atmospheres (cont.) · readings: B, chapters 13, 15, and 20.
    Reading assignment
  • Ses #: 24 · Topics: Life in the Solar System · readings: H, chapter 12.
    Reading assignment
  • B, chapter 27.
    Listed reading
  • Ses #: 25 · Topics: Mars Exploration · readings: H, chapter 13.
    Reading assignment
  • B, chapter 11.
    Listed reading
  • Hartmann, W. K. Moons and Planets . Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004. ISBN: 9780534493936.
    Required
  • Beatty, J. K., et al. The New Solar System . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1998. ISBN: 9780521645874.
    Required
Sources