Prof. Esposito is involved with US, European and Russian space missions. His expertise is in planetary atmospheres, planetary rings and numerical methods for radiation transfer and ring evolution.
ASTR 3750 - Planets, Moons, and Rings
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019
Approaches the physics of planets, emphasizing their surfaces, satellites, and rings. Topics include formation and evolution of planetary surfaces, history of the terrestrial planets, and dynamics of planetary rings. This course and ASTR 3720 may be taken for credit in any order. Elective for APS major and minor.
ASTR 4800 - Space Science: Practice and Policy
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020
Exposes students to current controversies in science that illustrate the scientific method and the interplay of observation, theory, and science policy. Students research and debate both sides of the issues, which include strategies and spin-offs of space exploration, funding of science, big vs. small science, and scientific heresy and fraud. Recommended prerequisite: one year of college level astronomy or physics.