ASTR 120 — Exploration of the Solar System
This course investigates the origin of our Solar System and how its contents change with time. The course surveys and analyzes the physical properties of solar system contents, including the Sun, planets, moons, rings, comets and asteroids. Methods of space exploration will be discussed as related to past, current, and future efforts. Topics include: origins of the chemical elements in our solar system, formation and evolution of the solar system; comparative planetology (geology and atmosphere), gravitational and thermal effects on solar system objects, space exploration, and recent developments in the search for extrasolar planets. (CSU/UC) (AA/AS-5, CSU-B1, IGETC-5A, Cal-GETC-5A)