83918 - Geology, Geomorphology and Exploration of Planetary Bodies

Learning outcomes

The course aims providing to the students with a broad view of the geology and surface geomorphology of the planets of the inner solar system (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth), the Moon and minor bodies such as asteroids and comets. These themes will be presented through the comparative planetary geology approach focusing on examples of Italian and European terrestrial analogues. I will show how the surface characteristics of the major bodies of the inner solar system are the result of the same, but yet different, geological and tectonic processes linked to physical parameters and planetary evolutionary history. Each planet will be illustrated through the history of past and current exploration space missions. The exercises will be essentially focused on research of bibliography and the analysis of data acquired during space missions

Course contents

The course deals with the knowledge and exploration techniques on the inner planets of the solar system, with a focus on the Moon, Mars and Mercury, as well as on asteroids and comets.

The main lessons will consider the following topics

Principles of Planetary Geology

The comparative approach between geology and terrestrial processes to understand the composition, morphology and evolutionary history of other planets.

Moon

Formation and evolution, composition, the lunar surface as a laboratory for studying impact phenomena, volcanism and tectonics, the Apollo missions, the future Artemis missions, the presence of birds and resources, the lunar cartography.

Mars

The evolutionary history of the red planet, volcanism, the presence of water and ice, sedimentary environments, Martian caves, past and current missions with rovers, cartography and data databases.

Mercury

Evolution and composition of the planet, past and future missions.

Asteroids and Comets

Composition and geological approach to the study of minor bodies

Readings/Bibliography

Rossi, Angelo Pio, and Stephan Van Gasselt, eds. Planetary geology. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Springer, 2018.

Baker, V.R., 2014. Terrestrial analogs, planetary geology, and the nature of geological reasoning. Planetary and Space Science, 95, pp.5-10.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures and laboratories

Assessment methods

Individual geological report on a specific assigned area of Mars or the Moon, with considerations on the organization of a robotic research mission. Oral interviews to evaluate the report together.

Teaching tools

Web platform, public databases, documentaries, meteorite collections

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Sauro