Exoplanets
Course Code
ASTR 12720 97
Cross Listed Course Code(s)
PHSC 12720
Course Description
The past two decades have witnessed the discovery of planets in orbit around other stars and the characterization of extra-Solar (exo-) planetary systems. We are now able to place our Solar System into the context of other worlds and a surprising conclusion that most planetary systems look nothing like our own. A challenging next step is to find planets as small as the Earth in orbit around stars like the Sun. The architecture of planetary systems reflects the formation of the parent star and its protoplanetary disk, and how these have changed with time.
This course will review the techniques for discovery of planets around other stars, what we have learned so far about exoplanetary systems, and the driving questions for the future, including the quest for habitable environments elsewhere.
This course includes labs. Although quantitative analysis will be an important part of the course, students will not be expected to employ mathematics beyond algebra.
Course Criteria
Prerequisites: PHSC 10800 or PHSC 10100 or ASTR/PHSC 12700 or ASTR/PHSC 12710.
This course combined with one of the pre-requisites listed above form a sequence that fulfills the gen ed requirement in the Physical Sciences. It can also be used by students in the Minor in Astronomy and Astrophysics program.
Instructor(s)
Derek Buzasi
UChicago Registration 1