This course reviews the evidence for life on Mars in ancient time and
describes the origin of the Earth, the Solar System and life on Earth. We
discuss impacts of comets and asteroids, including that which probably
killed the dinosaurs, and searches for life elsewhere in the solar system.
Finally, the discovery of extrasolar planets and the search for
extraterrestrial intelligence will be covered.

The course consists of lectures, a class project (on a related topic chosen
by the student) a midterm and a final.  In addition, there will be optional
evening observation sessions to view some of the discussed objects with a
small telescope.  More information is on the World Wide Web (at
http://physics.indiana.edu/~charlie/life ).  You can email questions to
charlie@iucf.indiana.edu.
Course Outline
I)  Introduction:  the Mars life claims of August 1996.
II) Genesis- the origin of:
	A) The Universe and the Big Bang.
	B) The Galaxy.
	C) The chemical elements and supernovae.
	D) The Solar System and Earth.
	E) Life on Earth.

III) Comets, Asteroids and Impacts.
	A) The death of the dinosaurs.
	B) Primitive material from origin of solar system.
	C) Meteorite families and meteorites from Mars and Moon.
	D) The death of comet Shoemaker Levy 9.

IV) The search for life beyond Earth.
	A) Mars and Mars exploration.
	B) Other places in Solar System such as Europa.
	C) Extrasolar planets.
		1) The discoveries and masses and orbits.
		2) Technical problems and future searches.
	D) Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).
	F) The Future.