ASTR 250 The Solar System
Introduction to the current state and past evolution of the sun and its family of planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Critical focus is on developing and understanding of the Earth as a planetary body and learning how the studies of other planets and satellites influence models of the climatic, geologic, and biologic history of our home world. Other topics include energy production in stars, global warming, impact hazards, and the search for life beyond our solar system. Results from past and current NASA missions will be studied.