Spring 2010 Astronomy 110 MWF 9:30 &mdash 10:20

5. TERRESTRIAL PLANETS: ROCK & IRON

Although very different on the outside, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and our Moon all have a good deal in common. The main factor determining their status is their mass: larger planets cool more slowly and thus stay active longer.

Reading

Please read all subsections of each section below.

7.1 Earth as a Planet
7.2 The Moon and Mercury: Geologically Dead
7.3 Mars: A Victim of Planetary Freeze-Drying
7.4 Venus: A Hothouse World
7.5 Earth as a Living Planet

Online

  1. Complete the Terrestrial Planets: Rock & Iron assignment, due on Monday, 15 Feb 2010 at 9:00 am.

  2. Review the lecture slides.
Joshua E. Barnes      (barnes at ifa.hawaii.edu)
Updated: 13 February 2010
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