Special Topics:
This page is where I will collect the breadcrumbs for any special topics we collectively agree to discuss at the end of the term. I expect this list to expand steadily. Be aware that much of the information here may quickly become outdated due to the speculative nature of some of these topics.
There are many objects that seem to be allowed in our models of stars and general relativity. White holes are one of these. As their name suggests there is a potential relationship to black holes that we should explore.
Asteroids, Comets, and Meteoroids:
There are many things up there in the solar system that are not planets. It is easy to be unclear about the language. This discussion will seek to clear up some of that language and connect some recent missions to asteroids and comets.
In this enormous universe there are many opportunities for dramatic events. These include collisions (very slow moving) between galaxies, supernovae, and possible near misses by a host of large objects. In this special topic we will explore some of these dramatic events and their possible impacts on future humans.
Are we alone in the Universe (or Solar System)?:
This is a wonderful topic that opens up whole worlds for discussion (yuck yuck!). We will take a quick look at the different forms of this discussion considering astro and xenobiology as well as the Drake equation and it's newer siblings.
Oort Cloud and the larger Solar System:
Our models for the structure of our solar system start with our observations. One of those observations is that there are a few objects that pass through the solar system that have very long periods that suggest they originate very far from us in solar system terms. This body of objects is called the Oort Cloud.
At one point some students had some questions about the scientific perspective on Free Will. Here is a short attempt to address that curiousity.
