College of Letters & Science

Discovery Courses Spring 2010

L&S C70T The Planets

This course is also listed as Astronomy C12 and Earth and Planetary Science C12

Geoffrey Marcy (Home Department: Astronomy) and Burkhard Militzer (Home Department: Earth and Planetary Science)

Tuesday and Thursday 11:00-12:30, 100 GPB (3 units), CCN: 51935

Our Solar System contains profound mysteries, some that still stump astronomers and geologists. What are planets made of? Why do they orbit the Sun in only certain ways? How do planets form, and why do some have bizarre moons? What makes the Earth hospitable to life? Is the Earth a common type of planet or some cosmic quirk? This course will explore the mysteries of planets, moons, rings, comets, asteroids, atmospheres and oceans. Understanding other worlds will help us save our own planet and help us understand our place in the universe. Students in this class will have the opportunity to observe through the telescope on top of Campbell Hall.

About Geoff Marcy:

"Marcy is an excellent professor. He easily incorporates humor and real life experiences into the study of our vast and complex solar system. He has a very kind and approachable demeanor and responds quickly to emails. He encourages students to ask questions and always forms a thoughtful and interesting response. He has a romantic relationship with his field of study and his passion can be felt whenever he delivers a lecture."

About Burkhard Militzer:

"Interesting, intelligent, passionate about astronomy"

"He loves answering questions, he knows his stuff, he's approachable, he's funny."

This course may be used to satisfy the Physical Sciences breadth requirement in Letters and Science.

For program-related questions, please contact alix@berkeley.edu
For website-related questions, please contact dmurray@berkeley.edu

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