Astronomy 330CW - Topics in Planetary Science: 'Icy Worlds'

A key discovery of the last 20 years in the field of planetary science is that liquid water oceans within our solar system occur predominantly beyond Earth, in "icy worlds" that occur as moons of the giant planets and as large dwarf planets. This course will provide an overview of icy worlds of the outer solar system and the potential for their liquid water environments to be or have been habitable for life. It will also explore in more detail the moons that have the highest astrobiological potential.

Prereq: Any intermediate-level Astronomy or Geology course.