Astronomical and Space Probe Searches for Extrasolar Planets and Life Beyond the Earth

3 units

Detecting planets -- and then life -- beyond the Earth has long been of great interest. In this course, we will survey the technical developments that enable the achievement of a science-based understanding of planetary systems beyond the solar system and what we may anticipate over the coming decades concerning the search for life outside the Earth. First, we will emphasize the principles and methods for the study of solar system planets and satellites. Within the solar system, landing probes is feasible, and many are planned or underway. We will review these missions to learn what their goals are and what has been achieved as well as what to look toward in coming decades. These particularly include Europa, Titan, and other satellites. Next, we will discuss the advances in astrometry and spectroscopy of planetary systems around other stars that have yielded a cornucopia of new planetary data for nearby stars. The results are already immense and growing rapidly. We will investigate the methods for the characterization of the detected planets in a search for and direct detection of life. Developments in ground-based astronomy, the Kepler mission, and related missions have contributed solid data to our knowledge of the planetary systems of a number of nearby stars. Many of these planetary systems were not anticipated. New categories of planets have been discovered. These new planet types have vastly expanded the candidate list for life-bearing planets. Satellites of giant planets lying both within and beyond the habitable zone may also harbor life (compare with Europe, Ganymede, and Titan). We will explore these possibilities as well.