Download Habitable Planets Webquest

What’s the deal with planets and habitability?
Step 1: A few definitions to know (search for these definitions and write the definition down):



Planet: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Exoplanet: __________________________________________________________________________________
Habitable: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Step 2: Search for a copy of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” or open this link: http://www.dltkteach.com/rhymes/goldilocks_story.htm and write a short summary of the story (maximum of two sentences).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 3: Open up this link: https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/Habitat/habitableactivity1.htm and answer the
questions here using the charts and what you know about the story of Goldilocks.
A. Consider the information given in the table and answer these question:
i. Whose bowl of porridge did Goldilocks choose?
ii. What characteristic about the porridge did Goldilocks use to decide which bowl was “just right”?
B. Consider the information given in the table and answer these question:
i. Whose chair did Goldilocks choose?
ii. What characteristic about the chairs did Goldilocks use to decide which bowl was “just right”?
C. Consider the information given in the table and answer these question:
i. Whose bed did Goldilocks choose?
ii. What characteristic about the beds did Goldilocks use to decide which bowl was “just right”?
D. Using example/ chart A, how could Goldilocks decision change if the temperature of the bears’ porridge had been
different? Write answers for if each bowl was warmer and if each bowl was colder.
Step 4: Open up this link: https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/Habitat/habitableactivity2.htm and answer the
questions here using the chart:
A. Which of the characteristics listed in the table above allow life to flourish on Earth but not Venus and Mars? Explain
your reasoning.
B. Describe how the characteristics identified in question A would change if the following changes were made.
i. The Earth was moved closer to the Sun.
ii. The Earth was moved farther from the Sun.
iii. The Sun's temperature was much hotter and it was much larger.
iv. The Sun's temperature was much cooler and it was much smaller.
Step 5: Open up this link: https://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/Habitat/habitableactivity3.htm and answer these
questions using the chart and the information provided.
1. What characteristic distinguishes whether or not a planet can harbor life?
2. This means planets need to be the right distance from the Sun so that what 2 things don’t happen?
a.
b.
3. The region where the temperature is “just right” is called : _____________________________________________
4. Which planet(s) are in the habitable zone of our Sun? Could these planets harbor life?
5. Is the Moon in the habitable zone? Does the Moon have liquid water on its surface? Why or why not?
Step 6: Search for “What Makes A World Habitable” or open:
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/our_place/hab_ref_table.pdf and fill out this chart:
Factors the make a
What is the “Just Right” announcement?
planets habitable:
Temperature
Water
Atmosphere
Energy
Nutrients
Step 7: Search “Bad Universe Goldilocks Zone” (should be the first video) or open this link:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/44484-bad-universe-goldilocks-zone-video.htm and answer this question:
1. What happens to the “planet” as it’s moved around the solar system?
Step 8 : Search “What Makes a Planer Habitable” from BBC or open up: http://www.bbc.com/news/scienceenvironment-33929851 Answer these questions about it:
1. Water is thought to be what? ________________________________________________________________________
2. What do greenhouse gases have to do with how habitable a planet is?
3. What are exoplanets?
4. How does the type of star change the habitable zone it has?
Step 9: Search for “Habitable Exoplanets Catalogue” or go to http://phl.upr.edu/projects/habitable-exoplanetscatalog and answer the following questions:
1. What is the current number of potentially habitable exoplanets? __________
2. How many of these potentially habitable planets are about the size of Earth? __________
3. How many of these potentially habitable planets are larger than the size of Earth? __________
4. Which of these potentially habitable planets is closest to us? __________
5. How long would it take to arrive there while travelling at highway speed (65 mph)? __________
Hint: Convert light years (ly) to miles.
Last Step: Look up a story about a newly discovered exoplanet. Do scientists think it might be habitable? Why or why
not? You also need to list the source of your article!