Exploring Planets and Exoplanets: an Introduction to Planetary Sciences is a conceptual and descriptive exploration of our solar system, and others around other stars. The latest ideas and findings will be introduced with a minimal amount of mathematical content in order to make these topics accessible to the interested layperson.
The course will describe the basic layout and properties of solar system bodies such the sun, terrestrial planets, giant planets, moons, asteroids and comets. It will introduce the principles and processes that determine the nature and evolution of each of these bodies and hence of the solar system as a whole. This knowledge will be extended to other stellar systems and exoplanets.
Explore the history of relevant scientific discoveries and the exciting prospects for the future of planetary exploration, including the search for other habitable planets.