Astronomy 2e IV — Exoplanets and the Search for Life

Returning from cosmic scales to nearby evidence, the fourth course uses the collection’s gravity, light, and inference toolkit to connect planetary-system formation, complementary detection methods, catalog bias, atmospheric spectra, habitability, biosignatures, and technosignatures.

3 sections · 8 lessons

Course outline

Finding Worlds

  1. Planetary Systems Rewrite the Template
  2. Catch a Planet Crossing
  3. Hear a Star’s Doppler Wobble

Planet Populations

  1. Find Worlds without a Transit
  2. A Catalog Is Not a Census
  3. Correct an Exoplanet Census

Atmospheres and Life

  1. Read an Alien Atmosphere
  2. Habitable Is Not Inhabited
  3. Build a Case for Life
  4. Evaluate a Claim of Life

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