This course will explore the processes related to planet formation,
the properties of planets and the planetary conditions
required for the emergence of life. We will study the
formation of our Solar System and exoplanetary systems, the
distribution and properties of exoplanets, and the potential
habitability of other planets/moons in our system or
extrasolar systems. The course will also review science
cases and possible future astrobiology studies, both in site
and via remote sensing, of astrobiologically relevant
environments. Toward the end of the semester a few guest
lectures will highlight particularly exciting and timely
topics. The syllabus for the course can be found
here.
Topic List
Lecture Notes (Incomplete)
Review Papers
Habitable Zones around Main Sequence Stars
The Distribution of Mass in the Planetary System and Solar Nebula
Low-velocity Collisions of Centimeter-Sized Dust Aggregates
Making the Moon from a Fast-Spinning Earth: A Giant Impact Followed by Resonant Despinning
A planetary system around the millisecond pulsar PSR1257 + 12
Seven temperate terrestrial planets around the nearby ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1
The future of spectroscopic life detection on exoplanets
Evidence for early life in Earth’s oldest hydrothermal vent precipitates
Homework
Homework 1, due 1/29/19.
Homework 2, due 2/12/19.
Homework 3, due 2/26/19.
Mission Proposals