Characteristics and Origins of the Solar System
Prof. Gayley
Spring 2024


Lecture Schedule and Reading Assignments



  • Lecture notes ............. Supplemental Reading
  • (1) Historical and Philosophical issues pertaining to the course
  • Lecture 1a Wed Jan 17 ....... Ch. 1
  • Lecture 1b ..................
  • (2) The solar system seen by the naked eye
  • Lecture 2a Mon Jan 22.......
  • Lecture 2b .................. Ch. 2, 3
  • Lecture 2c ..................
  • (3) The Role of Forces and Gravity
  • Lecture 3a Mon Jan 29....... Ch. 4
  • Lecture 3b .................
  • Lecture 3c ..................
  • (4) The Nature of Light and Telescopes
  • Lecture 4a Mon Feb 5............ Ch. 5, 6
  • Lecture 4b .................
  • Lecture 4c ............
  • (5) Formation of the Solar System, Properties of the Sun
  • Lecture 6a Mon Feb 12 ...... Ch. 7, 14
  • Lecture 6b .................
  • Lecture 6c .................
  • Review and Exam #1
  • exam #1 review, Mon Feb 19
  • First In-Class Exam with answers, Wed, Feb 21
  • go over exam answers, Fri Feb 23
  • (6) Comets, Asteroids, Meteors, and Pluto
  • Lecture 7a Mon Feb 26 ....... Ch. 12
  • Lecture 7b .................
  • Lecture 7c .................
  • (7) Terrestrial Planet Interiors and Moons
  • Lecture 8a Mon Mar 4...... Ch. 8, 11
  • Lecture 8b .................
  • (7a) The Future of Our Sun, and the solar wind
  • Lecture 8c .................
  • SPRING BREAK
  • (8) Planetary Atmospheres
  • Lecture 9a, Mon Mar 18 ..... Ch. 9
  • Lecture 9b .................
  • Lecture 9c .................
  • Review and Exam #2
  • exam #2 review, Mon Mar 25
  • Answers: Second In-Class Exam, Wed, Mar 20 Find a practice exam here and find the answers to form A here (for Form A, note the questions are all shifted by one)
  • go over exam answers, Fri Mar 22
  • (9) Gas Giants, Moons, and Outer Planets
  • Lecture 10a Mon Apr 1...... Ch. 10, 11
  • Lecture 10b ................
  • Lecture 10c .....
  • (10) Extrasolar Planets
  • No class, visit the Solar Eclipse..... Mon Apr 8
  • Lecture 11a........ Ch. 7, 10
  • Lecture 11b ..............
  • (11) Life in the Solar System and Beyond
  • Lecture 12a Mon Apr 15......... Ch. 24
  • Lecture 12b .........
  • (13) Scientific Thinking and the Theory of Relativity
  • Lecture 12a Mon Apr 22 ..... Ch. 18
  • Lecture 12b
  • Third In-Class Exam, with answers, Wed Apr 24
  • Practice exam found here .
  • go over answers for exam #3, Fri Apr 26
  • General relativity and final review, last week

    Some practice questions for the final exam are here.

    Final Exam (with answers)Form A, Form B, Form C: Form D:

    Go to Solar System Astronomy cover page