Earth Sciences

AIMS

This course is designed to introduce students to the geological histories, and geological processes, of other planets, and to illustrate how this knowledge has led to our current understanding of the origin and evolution of the Solar System.

OUTCOMES

Knowledge and Understanding:

• basic geology and geophysics of the other planets;
• various techniques used to acquire geological knowledge of other planets;
• how a comparison of the geologies of the different planets informs our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Solar System as a whole;
• development of an ability to transfer geological knowledge gained in the context of the Earth to wide range of different planetary environments.

Practical and Transferable Outcomes:

• a wider understanding of how scientific hypotheses are developed and tested
• developing writing skills as a means of effective communication of scientific information
• comprehension of scientific data and papers, IT skills.

CONTENT

Topics studied will include:

• introduction and techniques of planetary exploration;
• impact cratering as a geological process;
• lunar geology: dating and stratigraphy; rocks and minerals; orbital remote sensing and geophysics;
• geology of Mars: rocks; dating; stratigraphy and water;
• geology of Mercury and Venus;
• asteroids, meteorites and comets;
• giant planet satellites.