Richard and Barbara Rosenberg Professor of Planetary Astronomy; Director, Caltech Center for Comparative Planetary Evolution
A.B., Princeton University, 1987; M.A., University of California, 1990; Ph.D., 1994. Visiting Associate, Caltech, 1995; Assistant Professor, 1997-2002; Associate Professor, 2002-04; Professor, 2005-2008; Rosenberg Professor, 2008-; Director, 2020-.
Ge 108. Applications of Physics to the Earth Sciences.9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2020-21.Prerequisites: Ph 2 and Ma 2 or equivalent.
An intermediate course in the application of the basic principles of classical physics to the earth sciences. Topics will be selected from: mechanics of rotating bodies, the two-body problem, tidal theory, oscillations and normal modes, diffusion and heat transfer, wave propagation, electro- and magneto-statics, Maxwell's equations, and elements of statistical and fluid mechanics.
Instructor: Brown
Ge 194. Special Topics in Planetary Sciences: Europa Seminar.Units to be arranged; First term, 2020-21.
Advanced-level discussions of problems of current interest in planetary sciences. Students may enroll for any or all terms of this course without regard to sequence.
Instructor: Brown
Ge 103. Introduction to the Solar System.9 units (3-0-6); third term, 2019-20.Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
Formation and evolution of the solar system. Interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres. Orbital dynamics, chaos, and tidal friction. Cratering. Comets and asteroids. Extrasolar planetary systems.
Instructor: Brown
Ge 108. Applications of Physics to the Earth Sciences.9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2019-20.Prerequisites: Ph 2 and Ma 2 or equivalent.
An intermediate course in the application of the basic principles of classical physics to the earth sciences. Topics will be selected from: mechanics of rotating bodies, the two-body problem, tidal theory, oscillations and normal modes, diffusion and heat transfer, wave propagation, electro- and magneto-statics, Maxwell's equations, and elements of statistical and fluid mechanics.
Instructor: Brown
Ge/Ay 11 c. Introduction to Earth and Planetary Sciences: Planetary Sciences.9 units (3-0-6); third term, 2019-20.Prerequisites: Ma 1 ab, Ph 1 ab.
A broad introduction to the present state and early history of the solar system, including terrestrial planets, giant planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and rings. Earth-based observations, observations by planetary spacecraft, study of meteorites, and observations of extrasolar planets are used to constrain models of the dynamical and chemical processes of planetary systems. Although Ge 11 abcd is designed as a sequence, any one term may be taken as a standalone course. Physicists and astronomers are particularly welcome.
Instructor: Brown
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