From the Big Bang to the Blue Planet
Instructor: Julian Sachs
Email: jsachs@u.washington.edu
Office: OSB 521
Office Hours: Mon & Wed 12:20-1:30, & by appt.
Telephone: 221-5630
Please e-mail me (jsachs@u.wasington.edu) if you prefer to have our last class lecture topic be:
1. Recent (last 0.5 Myr) ice ages
2. Global warming
3. Extraterrestrial influences on Earth's climate
Quiz #3 is on Monday Nov. 24th. It will account for 20% of your grade. It will cover material since Quiz #2 and up through (& including) the lecture on Friday Nov. 21st.
*** Please be sure to download and use the most recent (revised) lecture Notes #6 & 7.
* Astrobiology Seminar * Astrobiology Seminar * Astrobiology Seminar *
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TUESDAY November 4, 2008
Joshua L. Bandfield
Research Assistant Professor
Earth & Space Sciences/Astrobiology
University of Washington, Seattle
Title: A complex compositional and aqueous history of Mars
Time: 2:30 pm
Place: A-118 UW Physics/Astronomy Auditorium (PAA)
Abstract: Spectroscopic datasets from orbiters and landers have been used to identify a growing variety of compositions on Mars. Evidence for sedimentary silica, sulfates, carbonates, phyllosilcates, iron oxides, and chlorides indicates a relatively rich and varied Martian aqueous history that is fundamentally changing our understanding of the planet. This increasingly detailed compositional picture can be used to infer the spatial and temporal extent of habitable environments as well as the potential for biological development and its subsequent preservation.
- Quiz #2 will now be on Fri. Nov. 7th, 11:30-12:20 in OSB 425.
- There will be no class on Wed. Nov. 5th
- The makeup class will be 12:30-1:20 pm on Fri. Nov. 7th (after Quiz #2)
* Astrobiology Seminar * Astrobiology Seminar * Astrobiology Seminar *
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TUESDAY October 28, 2008
Prof. Yuk L. Yung
Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
California Institute of Technology
Title: Evolution of the Atmospheres of Planets and Earth
Time: 2:30 pm
Place: A-118 UW Physics/Astronomy Auditorium (PAA)
Abstract: Half a century ago, space exploration began with the launching of the Sputnik. Now at the completion of a fairly detailed study of the planets of our solar system, we are at the verge of exploring the extrasolar planets. Using the database provided by recent spacecraft missions supplemented by Earth-based observations, I will give a survey of the principal physical and chemical processes that control the composition of planetary atmospheres, emphasizing the "big picture" at planetary scales. For the first time, we understand the evolutionary history of the planetary atmospheres that range from the primitive atmospheres of the giant planets to the highly evolved atmospheres of terrestrial planets and small bodies. The implications for the evolution of our atmosphere (e.g. rise of oxygen) and the destiny of our planet are discussed.
The following lecture should be terrific! I have assigned it (like an assigned reading), so attend if at all possible. If schedule conflicts keep you from being able to attend it will be posted as a podcast at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/seminars/#uw :
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* Astrobiology Seminar * Astrobiology Seminar *
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TUESDAY October 21, 2008
David Catling, PhD
Department of Earth Sciences
University of Bristol, UK
Title: Initial results from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander
Time: 2:30 pm
Place: A-118 UW Physics/Astronomy Auditorium (PAA)
Abstract: NASA's Phoenix probe landed in the "arctic" of Mars at 68.2 degrees north on May 25, 2008. I will discuss preliminary discoveries of Phoenix, including ice below the surface, peculiar soluble chemistry measured by mixing soil with water, inferences from the first color microscopic images of soil and airfall particles, and measurements of the atmosphere.
The 1st of 3 quizzes, each worth 20% of your grade, will be on Wed. Oct. 15th. We will do a quiz review at the end of class on Mon. Oct. 13th. Here is the quiz #1 review document [pdf]. *** Please use the most recently posted versions of Lecture Notes #1 & 2 to study for the exam, both of which can be downloaded from the Schedule page.
There is a terrific "Astrobiology" seminar series here at UW with frequent relevant and interesting seminars. They are usually given at a level that our class can understand. I encourage you to attend. (And one or more may be assigned in the future.) The 1st of the quarter is next Tuesday:
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* Astrobiology Seminar * Astrobiology Seminar *
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TUESDAY October 7, 2008
Rory Barnes, PhD
Research Associate, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
University of Arizona, Tucson
Title: Habitability of Tidally-Locked Terrestrial Exoplanets
Time: 2:30 pm
Place: A-118 UW Physics/Astronomy Auditorium (PAA)
Abstract: The first terrestrial-like exoplanets will likely be observed in tight orbits around low-mass stars. Conveniently, planets on these orbits receive about as much starlight as the Earth does from the Sun, and hence have to potential to be habitable. Such planets may also experience significant tidal forces from the star which can result in orbital decay, a specific planetary rotation, and significant internal heating. I describe how these phenomena are likely to impact habitability. In some cases orbital decay may result in planets moving too close to their star for habitability. For planets on non-circular orbits, rotation periods may be similar to the Earth's and hence may produce similar atmospheric circulation patterns. Tidal heating may span the range from zero to well in excess of Io's, and hence can dramatically impact habitability. Further complicating the situation is the presence of additional companions which may drive large oscillations in the magnitudes of these effects. Taken together these processes suggest a scheme for categorizing planetary attributes based on the planetary system's architecture, including a refinement of the prerequisites for planetary habitability.
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| Expanding Universe | Supernova | Chirality In the Universe |
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| Living Stromatolites | ATP | Redbeds |
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| Chlorophyll | Crater on Earth | Planets |