The Gas Giants Jupiter and Saturn are the largest planets in the Solar
System. Internally they are deep, heavy Hydrogen/Helium atmospheres on
top of dense rock/ice cores without solid surfaces. What we see in our
telescopes are just the tops of the clouds. This lecture describes the
basic properties of the planets: their composition, atmospheres,
weather ... Show More
Nov 2007
Lecture 36: Worlds in Comparison - The Terrestrial Planets
Having completed our tour of the Terrestrial Planets, we want to step
back and compare their properties. In particular, we will wi review the
processes that drive the evolution of their surfaces, their interiors,
and their atmospheres. Recorded 2007 Nov 13 in 1000 McPherson Lab o ... Show More
42m 25s
Nov 2007
Lecture 35: The Deserts of Mars
Mars is a cold desert planet with a thin, dry carbon-dioxide atmosphere.
The geology of Mars, however, shows signs of an active past, with
hot-spot volcanism, and tantalizing signs of ancient water flows. While
a cold, dead desert planet today, Mars' past may have been warmer and ... Show More
43m 45s
Nov 2007
Lecture 34: Venus Unveiled
Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is perpetually veiled behind
opaque clouds of sulfuric acid droplets atop a hot, heavy, carbon
dioxide atmosphere. In size and apparent composition, however, it is a
near twin-sister of the Earth. Why is it do different? In this lecture
I re ... Show More
41m 46s