Courses:

Course Info

• Course Number / Code:
• 12.425 (Fall 2007) 
• Course Title:
• Extrasolar Planets: Physics and Detection Techniques 
• Course Level:
• Undergraduate 
• Offered by :
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  Massachusetts, United States  
• Department:
• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences 
• Course Instructor(s):
• Prof. Sara Seager 
• Course Introduction:
•  
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  12.425 Extrasolar Planets: Physics and Detection Techniques
  
  
  
  

  Fall 2007

  
  
  

  
  
  

  Course Highlights

  
  
  

  
  
  12.425 Extrasolar Planets: Physics and Detection Techniques
  
  
  
  

  Fall 2007

  
  
  

  

  Artist's conception of the 5 Earth mass exoplanet Gliese 581 c. Gliese 581 c is one of the lowest-mass exoplanets known. This planet orbits a red dwarf star, just inside the star's habitable zone. The star and planet are 20.5 light years from Earth. (Image courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech.)

  
  
  

  Course Description

  
  
  

  This course covers the basic principles of planet atmospheres and interiors applied to the study of extrasolar planets (exoplanets). We focus on fundamental physical processes related to observable exoplanet properties. We also provide a quantitative overview of detection techniques and an introduction to the feasibility of the search for Earth-like planets, biosignatures and habitable conditions on exoplanets.