Planetology

The planetology course focuses on the Solar System and its planets. Its position in the Universe is also discussed, introducing the concept of exoplanets (detection and habitability). The course consists of three parts: astrophysics, geophysics, and geochemistry. The astrophysics section begins by providing context within the Universe, then addresses the formation of the Solar System, its dynamics, and its evolution. The geophysics part deals with planetary interiors and their evolution based on data from space missions. The geochemistry part focuses on nucleosynthesis, the abundance of chemical elements, and the composition of the primitive Earth, the present Earth, and other planets based on the study of meteorites. The approach developed combines theoretical and practical approaches.

Hourly volumes:

• CM: 6 p.m.
• Tutorial: 9 a.m.
• Practical work: 9 hours

Recommended prerequisites:

Mathematics or physics; basic mineralogy and crystal chemistry: the content of the "Earth and its resources" course unit in the Earth, Water, and Environment L1 program is an ideal prerequisite for this course unit.

Continuous assessment (CC)

Brief description of the concepts covered in CM:

1) Geophysics/Astrophysics (12 CM)

• Context: Universe
• Formation of the Solar System (star, nebula, protoplanet)
• Dynamics and evolution of the Solar System (revolution/orbits, rotation, interaction between bodies: precession, nutation, tidal effects)
• Planetary interiors and their evolution (geophysical tools, space missions)
• Exoplanets

2) Geochemistry (6CM)

• Nucleosynthesis/element abundances
• Meteorites
• Composition of the primitive Earth, present-day Earth, and other planets

Brief description of tutorial sessions and number of hours associated with each session

• Evolution of the Earth-Moon system (3 hours): use of angular momentum to calculate the Moon's rate of recession – Simple calculations to estimate the future of the system.
• Detection of exoplanets (3 hours): use of radial velocity and transit methods
• Geochemistry (3 hours): Chemical composition of Mars (concept of mass balance, density).

Brief description of practical sessions and number of hours associated with each session

• Martian seismology (6 hours): use of seismological data from the InSight mission
• Macroscopic observations of different groups of meteorites (3 hours).

• Know how to determine the major physical characteristics of a planet based on observations
•  Understanding the physical phenomena that govern the shape and motion of planets
•  Knowing the tools for describing minerals and rocks
•  Knowing how to identify different groups of meteorites
•  Knowing how to perform a mass balance in geochemistry