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PHY 195: Introduction to Planetary Science and Astronomy

PHY 195: Introduction to Planetary Science and Astronomy (Spring 2017, csuDHTV). California State University Dominguez Hills. Instructor: Dr. Bruce Bett. This course will be an introductory astronomy survey course with a strong emphasis in planetary science. There will be overviews of all the major bodies in our solar system, as well as stars, galaxies, origins and evolution of the solar system and the universe, and the possibility of life in the universe. The course will cover significant solar system processes such as impact, tectonics, volcanism, atmospheric processes, effects of the solar wind, as well as the basics of orbital mechanics. Also covered will be the history of exploration of each of the bodies in our solar system. Planetary surfaces, atmospheres, interiors, magnetic fields, and ring systems and their associated origins and processes will be explored. Also, the sun and its effects on the planets will be addressed. Experts from around the country will join the lecturer via videoconference and phone to describe their research and to take questions. Though not an observational astronomy class per se, students will be taught how to and required to make basic observations of the night sky not requiring a telescope, of objects such as planets, the Moon, meteors, satellites, and stars.

Lecture 01 - Tour of the Solar System
Lecture 02 - How We Explore Space
Lecture 03 - Telescopes, Eclipses, and the Moon
Lecture 04 - Moon, Mercury, Venus-Earth-Mars Atmospheres
Lecture 05 - Venus and Mars
Lecture 06 - Mars
Lecture 07 - Asteroids and the Asteroid Threat
Lecture 08 - Jupiter and Saturn
Lecture 09 - Saturn and Uranus
Lecture 10 - Neptune and Trans Neptunian Objects including Pluto and Kuiper Belt Objects
Lecture 11 - The Outer Solar System
Lecture 12 - Exoplanets, the Sun, and Solar Physics
Lecture 13 - The Sun and Stars
Lecture 14 - Galaxies, the Universe, Life

Related Links
Bruce Bett's Online College Intro Astronomy
Introduction to Planetary Science and Astronomy. Class Resources. How to Watch the Class Live. Class Video Archives. 2017 Classes.