Course Description & General Information

Spring 2003

Course Description

Review of Processes responsible for the formation and modification of the surfaces of the terrestrial planets, and the surface histories so recorded. Topics covered: Exogenic surface processes, especially those associated with impact, gravitational degradation, atmospheric modification of surfaces by wind and water, and the direct interaction of surfaces with plasmas. Endogenic modification of surfaces by tectonics and volcanism. Regional scale crustal processes. Surface histories of Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars. Techniques of exploring terrestrial planetary surfaces.

Meeting Time and Place:

Lectures will take place on TBD in TBD S. Mudd.

Website:

Reading will be required from handouts and from the website www.gps.caltech.edu/classes/ge151/ . All assignments and scheduling will be handled through the website and students are responsible for visiting it frequently.

Homework:

Four problems sets will be handed out as follow up to lectures and reading. Due end of following week.

Labs:

There will be five labs during the course. Check the course assignments for details. They will be due two weeks from the handout date.

Tutorials:

There will be several tutorials throughout the course. No grade will be given for these but they are required to be completed as part of passing the course.

Research Paper:

A term paper on an interesting research topic is required. The topic of the paper should be submitted for approval by April 18^th and the final paper turned in by June 6^th. An oral presentation of the research paper is also required on the week of May 26^th. Consult with Murray and Aharonson about potential topics and research.

Final Examination:

There will be no final. The research paper takes its place in terms of grading. All work must be turned in before end of finals week.

Individual Work Policy:

Each student is to perform his or her own work and not do assignments as a group unless so directed by the instructor or TA. If a student is unsure of the correct procedure, he or she should ask for clarification.

Grading:

Final letter grade composed of
30% homework, 30% labs, 30% written report, and 10% oral report.
No late homework will be accepted.
No Pass/Fail.

Course Outline:

Lectures

Week 1. Introduction
Week 2. Vacuum Environments
Week 3. Wind and Water
Week 4. Volcanism
Week 5. Cratering
Week 6. Crustal Features
Week 7. Moon & Mercury
Week 8. Venus & Mars
Week 9. Student Research Presentations

Tutorials

Reflectance From Planetary Surfaces
Thermal Emission From Planetary Surfaces
Rock Forming Minerals
Combined Gravity and Topography Analysis

Labs

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