Interesting Stuff - Geo-Astronomy Lectures from UMich

AI Thread Summary
Several lectures are available on Earth and its cosmic context, covering topics such as Earth’s structure, the relationship between Earth and the Moon, and thermodynamics. Key lectures include discussions on the formation of the solar nebula from interstellar clouds and a cosmochemical classification of elements. Specific lectures focus on Mercury's characteristics and comparisons with Venus, highlighting differing scholarly views on planetary conditions, particularly regarding water and Urey reactions. The content emphasizes the dynamic nature of planetary science and the evolving understanding of celestial bodies.
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Don't know how long these will be active, but they are interesting:

Lecture 16 - Down To Earth III: Earth Structure
http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture16/

Lecture 17 - Earth and Its Nearest Cosmic Neighbor, The Moon
http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture17/

Lecture 19 - The Earth and the Moon II: Histories
http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture19/

Lecture 20 - Thermodynamics and Chemical Equilibrium
http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture20/

Formation of the Solar Nebula from an Interstellar Cloud
http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture22/

A Cosmochemical Classification of the Elements
http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture23/

Early Speculations
http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture24/

Lecture 25 - Mercury: A Moon-like Planet?
http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture25/

Like the Earth, But Not on the Surface
http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture26/

Cowley's website - http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley
 
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I just checked lecture 26 Venus, http://www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/users/cowley/lecture26/
which is my pet planet. But I think the current scholar view is somewhat different from the lesson, especially pertaining the water and the Urey reactions.

I'm not impressed, I'm afraid.
 
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