Time Schedule:
David C. Catling
ASTR 497
Seattle Campus
Recent developments in one field of astronomy or astrophysics.
Class description
"Planetary sciences" combines astronomy, geology, geophysics & atmospheric sciences for understanding our solar system. "Astrobiology" is concerned with the history of life and the question of life elsewhere. This course reviews evolutionary processes on celestial bodies relevant to astrobiology, including Earth, Mars, Venus, outer planet satellites, and extrasolar planets. Students will learn about how planetary surfaces and atmospheres have evolved and what makes a planet habitable.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Please ask for an add code via e-mail (davidc@atmos.washington.edu) mentioning your status and major. Because this course is co-listed with other departments, I'm just keeping track of students' majors to help determine the exact teaching material and teaching level. If you have questions about the course, please feel free to e-mail me also. Actually I don't care especially whether you've done ASTR 101/150 or not. The main thing is that you're a science/eng major and very curious about fundamental science. Astrobiology seeks to understand the origin of the building blocks of life, how these biogenic compounds combine to create life, and how life affects - and is affected by - the environment from which it arose. Another issue is whether and how life expands beyond its planet of origin. If you're interested in what modern science has to say about these basic questions, that's what I'm hoping for.
Class assignments and grading
