This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Join this course and learn all about Mars and why there is a universal fascination with the “red planet”. Is SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s vision of establishing a permanent human presence on Mars realistic? In studying the cosmos beyond Earth, students come to better understand God’s creation and the nature of science.
Total classes: 13
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th-12th
Suggested credit: One full semester of Science or Astronomy. For a full year credit, register in the spring for Astronomy.
Description
From earliest history to modern science, people have been fascinated by Mars. We will journey through space and time, examining myth, science fiction, and science facts to explore the red planet. As new missions reach Mars, additional mission descriptions and data may be discussed.
Outline
Week 1: Introduction to the Myth; Early observations
Week 2: Mars and science fiction: 3 authors, 3 visions (literature connection)
Week 3: Where is Mars? Some Basic Physics
Week 4: Geology or Areology? And what about life?
Week 5: The Mariner Flybys
Week 6: Viking
Week 7: Oops! We lost it! – Observer, Polar Lander, Deeps Space 2, Mars Climate Orbiter
Week 8: Pathfinder, Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey
Week 9: Mars Express, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Phoenix Scout
Week 10: Curiosity and Maven
Week 11: Exomars and Insight
Week 12: Perseverance
Week 13: Class discussion: Would you go to Mars?
Materials and Homework
Course materials: PDF files provided for free by the instructor.
Discovering Mars by Sheehan and Bell (excerpts as assigned) ISBN-13: 978-0816532100 (https://amzn.to/3I8prco)
Access to Google Mars (https://www.google.com/mars/)
Homework: Weekly quizzes, assigned reading; excerpts from Heinlein’s Red Planet, Lewis’ Out of the Silent Planet, and H. G. Well’s War of the Worlds. Prepare for “Would you go to Mars?” class discussion.
Important Dates
Class Dates: Tuesdays, September 3 to December 3, 2024. (No class Nov. 26)
Starting Time: 4:00 PM Eastern (3:00 Central, 2:00 Mountain, 1:00 Pacific)
Duration of Each Class: 55 minutes
