Planetary Science

Contents

• Introduction
• Determining Planet Properties
  • Distances
  • Masses
  • Sizes and Volumes
  • Densities and Compositions
• Atmospheres
  • Escape of Atmosphere
    • Escape Velocity
    • Temperature
    • Does Gravity Win or Temperature?
  • Energy Transport
  • Appearance and Colors of the Atmospheres
  • Review Questions
• Magnetic Fields
  • Aurorae
  • Magnetic Dynamo Theory Ingredients for a magnetic field.
    • Examples
  • Review Questions
• Planet Interiors
  • Putting the pieces together
  • Review Questions
• Earth-Venus-Mars Comparison
  • Venus
    1. Greenhouse Effect
    2. Runaway Greenhouse
    3. Ultraviolet Dissociation of Water
    4. Hydrogen/Deuterium Ratio
  • Mars
    1. Liquid water
    2. Atmosphere Escape
  • Earth
    1. Free Oxygen
    2. Liquid Water
    3. Life's Role in the Carbon Cycle
    4. Cold Trap
  • Review Questions
• Moons and Rings
  • The Earth's Moon
    • Craters
    • Interior and Composition
    • Formation
  • Jupiter's Large Moons
    • Io
    • Europa
    • Ganymede and Callisto
  • Titan
  • Triton
  • Rings
    • Saturn's rings
    • The Rings of Uranus and Neptune
  • Review Questions