Planetary geology is hot! In the last few years space probes and the Hubble Telescope have given us stunning new perspectives on our planetary neighbors, and the recent thrilling discoveries of the bizarre "hot Jupiters" orbiting other stars have forced us to reexamine ideas about the evolution of our own solar system. We can't hike around on Mars or Europa, so we have to infer composition, form, texture and process from photographs and sparse chemical data. By reading recent research papers we will examine a number of topics, which may include planetary formation and differentiation, the failed-planet hypothesis, surficial features of planets and their interpretation, tectonics in the solar system, liquid water in the outer solar system, water on Mars, and giant-planet migration. Evaluation will be based on five 2500-word (about five pages) papers, discussion, and critical analysis. There will be a strong focus on polished writing and argument, and papers will be thoroughly edited by the professor for style, grammar and syntax. Students will improve their writing by integrating into successive papers the editorial comments they receive, and also by editing the writing of their tutorial partners. Prerequisites: one Geosciences course, Astronomy 111, or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 12 (expected:12). Preference given to sophomores.