3 credits
Fall 2025 Lecture Upper DivisionThis course is intended for students in science or engineering. The components of the course consist of an overview of solar system objects and an overview of the physical processes that control the evolution of solar system objects since formation. The overview of solar system includes observations of the Sun, planets, asteroids and Kuiper-belt objects, comets, and interplanetary dust. Specific processes that are discussed include hydrostatic equilibrium, orbital dynamics, radioactive decay, and heat flow. The role of these processes in shaping planetary surfaces and atmosphere is explored.
Learning Outcomes1The students will acquire extensive knowledge on the solar system, including its formation and evolution.