Ge 131: Planetary Structure and Evolution -- Spring 2013

Class Info

Instructor: David J. Stevenson (aka. DJ Steve)
x6534
djs@gps.caltech.edu

TA: Peter Gao (aka. Peter)
x3992
pgao@caltech.edu

Class Schedule: MWF 10-11am
Class Location: South Mudd, Room 162
TA Office Hours: TBD

Please contact the TA on any issues regarding this website (e.g. due dates, broken links, etc.)

That's no Moon...


Notes

Chapter 0 - About This Book

Chapter 1 - Why Study the Insides of Planets?

Chapter 2 - Provenance and Cosmochemistry

Chapter 3 - Fundamentals of Planetary Materials

Chapter 4 - A Case Study: Hydrogen

Chapter 5 - Rocks and Ices: Beyond the Nearly Uniform Electron Gas

Chapter 6 - Phase Transitions and Phase Equilibria

Chapter 7 - Thermal Properties of Materials

Chapter 8 - Transport Properties

Chapter 9 - Generic Planetary Models

Chapter 10 - Observational Constraints on Planetary Interiors

Chapter 11 - The Gravity Field and Gravitational Response to Rotation

Chapter 12 - Gravity and Topography

Chapter 13 - Heat Flow, Conductive States, Adiabats, and Convective Instability

Chapter 14 - Convection Theory; Adiabats and Boundary Layers

Chapter 15 - Scaling Laws and Thermal Histories (Terrestrial Planets)

Chapter 16 - Thermal Histories of Icy Bodies

Chapter 17 - Tidal Dissipation and Evolution

Chapter 18 - Thermal Histories of Giant Planets

Chapter 19 - Processes of Differentiation for Terrestrial Planets

Chapter 20 - Core Formation and Evolution

Chapter 21 - Planetary Magnetic Fields

Chapter 22 - Kinematic Dynamo Theory; Mean Field Theory

Chapter 23 - Convection in the Presence of Rotation and Magnetic Field

Term Projects


Homework

Due April 10th, 2013: Homework 1

Lateness Policy

Handed in within 24 hours after due date/time: -10%
Handed in between 24 hours and 48 hours after due date/time: -30%
Handed in after 48 hours: -100%


Useful links

Planetary Fact Sheets - Physical properties/orbital parameters for planets and satellites.
Solar System Dynamics - Physical properties and orbital parameters for planets and satellites.
New Theory of the Earth - Don Anderson's *new* book online.
The Seventh Season - The (former) TA's band. It's Awesome.
Symphony of Science - Science, in music form.
MS Paint Adventures - Best webcomic on the Internets.