Astronomy 330 - Topics in Astrophysics: Mars

Exploration of several unresolved questions about the Red Planet, such as 1) Where was the water on Mars and where did it go? How well will future missions answer this question? 2) How has the Martian atmosphere evolved over time? 3) What rock types are present on the Martian surface based on meteorite studies vs. direct observation? 4) How can geomorphic features of Mars best be interpreted, and what do they tell us about the evolution of the planet? and 5) Was there life on Mars at any time? Is there life on Mars at present, and if so, where? An interactive seminar with students and faculty reading current papers from the literature as well as daily reports from current mission Web sites.

Prereq: One 200-level course in Astronomoy or Geology