Another Earth Research Project
You will be researching one of five extrasolar planets (also known as exoplanets) found by NASA’s Kepler mission to figure out which planet will have the best chances for life. In other words, you are looking for “another Earth.” You must explain why you chose this extrasolar planet, and how these factors impact its ability to harbor life: the size of the planet; how far this planet is from its star; and the type of light the star puts out. You will also estimate the costs of the materials and fuel for your mission, and create a scale model of the solar system of your planet.
You will create a bibliography for this project which includes at least three sources using NoodleTools.
Online Databases
Encyclopedia Britannica - An encyclopedia is always a good place to begin
your research. Here you will find basic information that will help you decide how to continue your research. Use the Created by K Crossley & M Rehbehn 11/28/11
search box to find your topic. Some useful search terms: extrasolar planets; habitable zone; Gliese 581c; Kepler; spectral type
NoodleTools: Encyclopedias are considered a reference source – not duplicated from a printed work. Do NOT provide a URL.
Science Reference Center – Click on Science Reference Center. Use the search box to find information. Some useful search terms: extrasolar planets; exoplanets; habitable zone; super-Earths; Gliese
NoodleTools: At the top of your article, look under Source. Use that information to figure out where Science Reference Center found this article and cite that source (magazine, newspaper, encyclopedia, etc.) Retrieved from an online database. Do NOT provide a URL.
Websites
NoodleTools: Cite as websites. DO provide a URL for websites.
EXTRASOLAR PLANETS
- NASA’s New World Atlas – Click on “All Extrasolar Planets” and then type your star name into the search box labled “Search by Name.” On your search results, click on the star or your planet name to find out more info. On that page, there are two links near the top under “Technical” which will give you more information, although it is difficult to understand.
- The Planetary Society: Catalog of Exoplanets – Type your planet name in the search box for information about that planet and a visualization of its orbit pattern. Click on the “Finding Exoplanets” tab to read about how scientists locate exoplanets. Click on “Notable Exoplanets” to find out more info about the Gliese planets.
- L’Observatoire des Paris: Exoplanets – Click on the questions about exoplanets to learn the answer. Click on “Database” at the bottom to find specific information about a planet, which are arranged alphabetically. Click on the planet name for more info. Click on “Simulation of the planetary system” to see an animation of that solar system. Click on the “habitable zone” box to see the planets that are within the habitable zone.
- The Visual Exoplanet Catalogue – Click on “Complete Catalogue” and look down the list for your planet name (alphabetically listed). Here you will find info about the planet, a drawing of the orbits of the solar system, and also a comparison of the size of your exoplanet with the planets in our solar system. At school you cannot see the habitable zone, but at home if you use a different browser than Internet Explorer it will show you the habitable zone of the system.
- Ancient Suns: The Ultimate in Extrasolar Planets: Worlds Like Earth – This article explains the factors that make a planet “Earth-like” and the Goldilocks zone.
- Universe Today: Earth Like Planets – Scroll down to read this article about the guidelines for a planet to be considered “Earth-like.”
- Stars and Habitable Planets – Read about extrasolar planets, orbits and the habitable zone, as well as other facts.
- The Planetary Society: Extrasolar Planets – Read about the discovery of extrasolar planets. Click on the first article under “Recent Headlines” to learn about earth-size extrasolar planets that are waiting to be discovered.
- Thinkquest: Extrasolar Planets – Explains how scientists find extrasolar planets, and their history.
- Astrobiology Magazine:Coming Soon: “Good Jupiters”
- Planetary Biology: Complete List of Exoplanets – Here is a list of exoplanets that you can sort by any one of their aspects.
- NASA:Kepler: A Search for Habitable Planets – This website explores the Kepler Mission.
- Top 10 List of Habitable Stars to Guide Search
- Found: Earth-Like Planet That Might Be Right For Life - NPR Article about Kepler 22b, the latest discovery.
