Development of a Habitable Planet

Infrared Search for Origins of Life

Explore the following interactive link

Your goal is to focus on “Star Formation” and “Planetary Systems”

http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/image_galleries/collection/sirtf_flash/

Research with a partner

INDEX CARD: EVENTYou are given an index card with a name of an event.

You will conduct your own research on the event.

You will discuss your findings with the class.

You must be able to answer:• The conditions prior to the

event• The event itself:

– What happened?– What caused it?– When and how did it

happen?

The Elements: Forged in StarsWhile you are watching the following videos consider the questions below. Answer these questions on your video

research sheet.

1. Where are elements Hydrogen to Iron formed?

2. What extreme situation produces all the elements heavier than iron?

3. PREDICT: Why do you think the elements heavier than iron require this extreme situation?

http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_vid_fusion/

The Origin of the Moon1. Describe the current theory

of the formation of the Moon.

2. Apollo 15 astronauts discovered a rock that looked like anorthocite. What significance did this rock play in developing the Impact Theory?

3. What role has the Moon played in the history of the Earth?

http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_vid_moon/

Jupiter: Earth’s Shield1. Explain why Jupiter is so

important to Earth?2. If you were a planetary

astronomer what would your hypothesis be? If…then…

3. Do you think that there are other habitable planets in the universe?

4. What about habitable moons?

http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_vid_jupitersrole/

Global Warming: The Physics of the Greenhouse Effect

1. Explain why the greenhouse effect is beneficial to Earth. In your response address radiant energy, reradiated energy (heat/infrared energy), and average temperature equilibrium.

2. Recall Earth’s average temperature.

3. Relate how burning fossil fuels can change the average temperature equilibrium?

4. How does Earth’s atmosphere impact life?

http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/phy03_vid_greenhouse2/

Ingredients for Life: Water

• List signs that Mars was once a wet place.

• What molecule is needed for life?

• Draw a water molecule. • Write its chemical formula. http://www.teach

ersdomain.org/asset/ess05_vid_water/

Life Before Oxygen

Video1. What organism formed

the first oxygen on Earth?2. What process did this

organism undergo to form the oxygen?

3. Do these organism exist today? If so, where?

http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/tdc02_vid_stetteroxy/

Deep TimeInteractive1. When was the birth of our

solar system?2. How old are the oldest

known rocks on Earth?1. Where would you find

these rocks?

3. In what era was the first evidence of Life?

4. How long ago were the first soft body animals? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evoluti

on/change/deeptime/index.html

Wall of Time

Image 1. Find your event on the Wall of Time.

2. Note the following:– The conditions prior to the

event– The event itself: What

happened ? What caused it? When and how did it happen?

– The conditions after the event and its impact on the future of Earth.

http://www.teachersdomain.org/ext/ess05_img_walloftime/index.html

Life’s Little Essential: Liquid WaterArticleBased on the Background essay:1. What are the three necessities

for life?2. Water is said to be a good

solvent, Why is this important to life?

3. How does the liquid range of water compare to other liquids?

4. PREDICT: Why do you think the liquid range of water maters in the formation of life?

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/evolution/liquid-of-life.html

Mars Dead or Alive: Mars Up Close

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/audio-gallery/audiogallery.swf?init_file=mars-up-close

Grey hematite is typically found in places where there has been standing water or mineral hot springs, such as those in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. The mineral can precipitate out of water and collect in layers at the bottom of a lake, spring, or other standing water. Hematite can also occur without water, however, usually as the result of volcanic activity.

Do you think that it is possible for life to have existed on Mars?

Why or Why not?

Caves: Extreme Conditions for Life

Video • Why is the study of caves on Earth important?

• How did surface life evolve?

• Is it possible that other planets and moons can contain environments that are similar to caves found on Earth?

http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_vid_lifecondtn/

How to Find a Habitable Planethttp://www.cosmosmagazine.com/reviews/3390/how-find-a-habitable-planet • As technology advances, we're

discovering more and more extrasolar planets, but how do we know which might host life?

• Is water the key to habitability, or is it having an atmosphere?

• According to James Kasting, the answer is both - and a lot more.