Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

• Spring Quarter 2013
• Summer Quarter 2013
• Autumn Quarter 2013

Victoria S Meadows
ASTR 497
Seattle Campus

Topics in Current Astronomy

Recent developments in one field of astronomy or astrophysics.

Class description

For thousands of years, humanity has pondered the possible existence of planets and life beyond our own Solar System. Yet is has only been the last decade that we been able to find evidence that extrasolar planets, planets found around stars other than our Sun, do exist. This course will cover extrasolar planet detection techniques, characteristics of the known population, and how studies of extrasolar planets have changed our views of planetary system formation and evolution. This course will also focus on the science behind the planned searches for Earth-like planets and life beyond our Solar System.

This course is designed for undergraduate science majors including astronomy majors, and for graduate students in science disciplines other than astronomy.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Recommended preparation

Class assignments and grading

Office of the Registrar
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Modified:May 17, 2013