ASTR 201: The search for life in the universe

ASTR 201 lab information page

Course outline and useful information

Lecture 1: Introduction Lecture 2: The universal context of life
Lecture 3: The solar system Lecture 4: The habitability of Earth
Lecture 5: The nature of life on Earth Lecture 6: The origin and evolution of life on Earth
Lecture 7: A biological tour of the solar system Lecture 8: Mars
Lecture 9: Life on Jovian moons Lecture 10: Life on extra-solar planets
Lecture 11: The search for extraterrestrial intelligence Lecture 12: The challenges of interstellar travel
Lecture 13: The implications of the search for life

Assignment 1
Solutions 1 Assignment 2
Solutions 2
Assignment 3
Solutions 3 Assignment 4
Solutions 4
Assignment 5
Solutions 5 Assignment 6
Solutions 6
Assignment 7
Solutions 7


Maths notes 1: Scientific notation Maths notes 2: Distance dimming
Maths notes 3: Radiometric dating Maths notes 4: The dominant form of life on Earth
Maths notes 5: Planetary cooling Maths notes 6: The blackbody temperature of a planet
Maths notes 7: Tidal heating Maths notes 8: Computing the masses of extra-solar planets
Maths notes 9: Breakthrough Starshot

Useful links:

NASA astrobiology site: A great site for current astrobiology news and research.
Astronomy picture of the day: new every day!