Fall 1998 Planetary Geology Seminar Syllabus

01314 Geology 2500-002, 1-credit, Thursday 3-4 PM, DSC 110

Instructors:

• Harmon D. Maher, Jr. DSC 266, office phone 554 4807, email: harmon@cwis.unomaha.edu, office hours: M 9-11AM, T & Th 12:30-1:30 PM, W 1-2PM
• Dave Kriegler, DSC 118, office phone 554 3721

This course is an introduction to planetary geology. No prerequisites.

Text: Christiansen, E. H., Hamblin, K., 1995, Exploring the Planets; Prentice Hall, 500 p. ISBN 0-020322421-5.

Below is a tentative schedule of topics.

Week 1 & 2: Models for planet formation, and for production of the elements. Reading: Chapt. 1 & 2. Skim Chapt. 15

Week 3: Meteorites. Reading: Chapt. 3

Week 4: Craters and cratering processes. Reading: to be determined.

Week 5: Mercury. Reading: Chapt. 5

Week 6: Venus. Reading: Chapt. 7

Week 7: Mars. Reading: Chapt. 6

Week 8&9: Jupiter system with concentration on moons. Reading: Chapt. 9

Week 10: Saturn system with concentration on moons. Reading: Chapt. 10

Week 11: Uranus and Neptune's moons. Reading: Chapt. 11 & 12.

Week 12: Prospects for life on other planetary bodies *. Reading: to be determined.

Week 12: Synthesis of factors determining planetary behavior *

Week 13: Prospects of terraforming *. Reading: to be determined.

Week 14: Class project - development of future missions *

* - will involve significant student participation

• 4 page paper on a very specific planetary geology topic that is approved by instructor - 50%
• class participation in form of response to discussion questions - 30%
• final exam covering basics - 20%

List of web sites on planetary geology and such.

Photograph of the surface of Mars - we live in a remarkable time!