2018 Spring: PTYS 595B Special Topics in Planetary Science (Section 1)

PTYS 595B (001) Spring 2018.  (3 units) Escape of Planetary Atmospheres. This course will examine the physical principles that determine atmospheric escape rates and apply them to current problems in the study of solar-system and extra-solar planets and the implications of atmospheric escape on evolution. We will review thermally driven Jeans escape, hydrodynamic escape, and polar winds, photochemical escape processes, and escape due to the interaction of the solar wind with upper atmospheres. In addition to the escape mechanisms, we will study the way that atmospheric structure is affected by escape and the limits this places on the escape rate. Specifically, we will study chemical, diffusion, and energy limits to the escape rate. Applications to these principles will include the study of escape on the Earth, Mars, Titan, Pluto, and Extra-solar planets and the role of escape in the evolution of these atmospheres and surfaces.  The course will incorporate examination of the latest observational constraints on escape from these objects. The course will be interactive with students providing literature summaries and leading discussions on the course topics. Grading will be based on participation and a term project.

Course
PTYS 595B Special Topics in Planetary Science
Section PTYS Faculty
Roger Yelle
Semester
2018 Spring
Section Days
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Section Timeframe
11:00 - 11:50a.m.
Section Number
1