NDLI: Planetary Science

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Chapter 1 - Astronomy as a Science and a Sense of Scale

Chapter 2 - Method for Finding Scientific Truth

Chapter 3 - Astronomy Without a Telescope

Chapter 4 - History of Astronomy

Chapter 5 - Newton's Law of Gravity

Chapter 6 - Einstein's Relativity

Chapter 7 - Electromagnetic Radiation (Light)

Chapter 8 - Telescopes

Chapter 10 - Solar System Fluff

Chapter 11 - Determining Star Properties

Chapter 12 - The Sun and Stellar Structure

Chapter 13 - Lives and Deaths of Stars

Chapter 14 - The Interstellar Medium and the Milky Way

Chapter 15 - Other Galaxies and Active Galaxies

Chapter 16 - Cosmology

Chapter 17 - Life Beyond the Earth

Appendix A - Angular Momentum in Astronomy

Appendix B - Quick Mathematics Review

Appendix C - Tables

Appendix D - Bakersfield Night Sky

Planetary Science

Content Provider	Astronomy Notes
Author	Strobel, Nick
Description	This chapter is an introduction to planetary science. The author discusses the techniques astronomers use to find out about the planets, their atmospheres (what determines if an atmosphere sticks around; behaviour of gases; what determines the surface temperature; atmosphere layers; the transport of energy; effects of clouds, mountains, and oceans; weather vs. climate and climate change agents with feedbacks; and appearance), their magnetic fields (the magnetic dynamo theory), and their interiors including the geological forces at work reshaping their surfaces. In a separate section author focuses on a comparison between the atmospheres of Earth, Venus, and Mars and why they are now so radically different from each other (greenhouse effect, carbon cycle, runaway refrigerator, runaway greenhouse, etc.) The discussion on Mars includes proofs for liquid water in past and sub-surface water ice. The Earth discussion includes the role of plate tectonics in the carbon cycle, evidence for human contribution to the atmospheric carbon dioxide and to the observed global temperature rise. There are links to two flowcharts: a Earth-Venus-Mars comparison and a flowchart of the calculations involved in determining if an atmosphere sticks around for billions of years. The author ends the chapter with a discussion of the major moons in the solar system and ring systems.
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Astronomy Education Scientific Models of Astronomy Evolution of Planets Teaching Properties of Planet Parallax Observation Center of Mass Meteorite Angular Size Angular Diameter Atmosphere Planetary Science Planet's Density Planet Volume Escape of an Atmosphere Escape Velocity Temperature Gravity Non-Thermal Process Atmosphere Escape Solar Wind Behavior of Gases Pressure Ideal Gas Law Hydrostatic Equilibrium Surface Temperature Planet's Surface Reflectivity Albedo Greenhouse Effect Atmosphere Structure Atmosphere Layers Troposphere Stratosphere Mesosphere Thermosphere Exosphere Saturn's Lower Temperature Coriolis Effect Differentiation Transport of Energy Cosmic Rays Hydrological Cycle on Earth Weather Solar Brightening Axis Tilt Gravitational Interactions of Planet Colors of the Atmospheres Jupiter's Atmosphere Mars' Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere Effects of Clouds Mountains Oceans Climate Solae Wind Magnetic Field Aurora Magnetic Dynamo Planet Interiors Terrestrial planet interiors Seismology Lithosphere Equation of State Planet Surfaces Impact Cratering Volcanism Cascade Volcanic Erosion Tectonics Plate Tectonics Continental Motion Seafloor Spreading Earthquake Earth Venus Mars Runaway Greenhouse Ultraviolet Dissociation of Water Hydrogen/Deuterium Ratio Liquid Water Ice on Mars Life's Role in the Carbon Cycle Plate Tectonics Role in the Carbon Cycle Human Role in the Carbon Cycle Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Runaway Refrigerator Photosynthesis Moon Giant Impact Theory Jupiter's Large Moons Io Europa Ganymede Callisto Titan Enceladus Triton Saturn's Rings Rings of Uranus and Neptune Mare Resonance Roche Limit
Content Type	Text
Educational Use	Self Learning Reading Lecture
Resource Type	Chapter
Education Level	Under Graduate Post Graduate
Subject	Astronomy & allied sciences

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