Building Earth-like Planets: From Nebular Gas to Ocean Worlds

An artist's rendering of an Earth-Like planet demonstration planetary formation.

Artist's concept of Earth-like planet. (Image courtesy of NASA.)

Instructor(s)

MIT Course Number

12.472

As Taught In

Fall 2008

Level

Graduate

Cite This Course

Course Description

Course Description

This course covers examination of the state of knowledge of planetary formation, beginning with planetary nebulas and continuing through accretion (from gas, to dust, to planetesimals, to planetary embryos, to planets). It also includes processes of planetary differentiation, crust formation, atmospheric degassing, and surface water condensation. This course has integrated discussions of compositional and physical processes, based upon observations from our solar system and from exoplanets. Focus on terrestrial (rocky and metallic) planets, though more volatile-rich bodies are also examined.

Related Content

Lindy Elkins-Tanton. 12.472 Building Earth-like Planets: From Nebular Gas to Ocean Worlds. Fall 2008. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare, https://ocw.mit.edu. License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.


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