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   Number 1: Lecture 45: The Future of Life in the Universe

   How will life, the Universe, and everything end? This lecture looks at the evolution of our expanding Universe to project the prospects for life into the distant cosmological future. Recent observations show that we live in an infinite, accelerating universe. I will trace the evolution of the universe from the current age of stars into the future. The final state of the Universe will be cold, dark, and disordered, and ultimately inhospitable to life as we understand it or perhaps can imagine it. Recorded live on 2009 Dec 3 in Room 1005 Smith Laboratory on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.

   December 03, 2009·45min
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   Number 2: Lecture 44: The Future of Life in the Solar System

   What is the future of life on Earth and in our Solar System? The Sun is the source of energy for life on the Earth, but it will not shine forever. This lecture looks at the impact of the various stages of the evolution of the Sun on the habitability of the Solar System, with particular emphasis on the continued habitability of the Earth. I will refer to state-of-the-art computer models of the Sun to get is properties at various stages in its past and future life. NOTE: Due to a recorder malfunction this lecture was re-recorded later in the day on 2009 Dec 2, rather than being live from the class room in Smith Laboratory. As such, it is about 10 minutes longer than usual (my pacing is off when not in front of class).

   December 02, 2009·56min
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   Number 3: Lecture 12: Climate Regulation and Climate Change

   What are the main mechanisms of climate regulation and climate change that have operated through Earth's history? The Earth's climate is regulated by a Carbon Dioxide thermostat that is the interaction between the Greenhouse Effect and the CO2 Cycle. I describe the CO2 cycle and its role in regulating global temperature. I will then discuss other influences on climate, and periods of glaciation (ice ages) in the recent and distant past, including the possible Snowball Earth events in the early and late Proterozoic Eon. Recorded live on 2009 Oct 8 in Room 1005 Smith Laboratory on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.

   October 08, 2009·46min
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   Number 4: Lecture 11: The History of the Earth

   How have we pieced together the geological history of the Earth? This lecture reviews the different types of rocks and the cycle of transformation between them, with particular emphasis on stratigraphy. I will outline the 4 major Eons in Earth's history, and focus on the earliest Hadean Eon which proceeded from the formation of the Earth to the end of the epoch of Heavy Bombardment. The Hadean Eon saw the formation of the primordial atmosphere of the Earth and the formation of the Oceans. Recorded live on 2009 Oct 7 in Room 1005 Smith Laboratory on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.

   October 07, 2009·43min
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   Number 5: Lecture 10: The Earth's Atmosphere Erratum

   This lecture was to be about the Earth's atmosphere, its composition and structure, the greenhouse effect, and the primordial atmosphere, but about 2 seconds into the lecture, unbeknownst to me, the battery compartment on my digital voice recorder came open in my pocket. At the end of lecture, I took it out of my pocket to turn it off and the battery didn't come with it. Oops! Fail. My apologies, I'll put in some work to prevent a recurrence in future lectures. Recorded live on 2009 Oct 6 in Room 1005 Smith Laboratory on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.

   October 06, 2009·2min
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