This assignment does not count toward the final grade.

ESCI A.S1.O2.A3 Conditions that Support Life

  • Due No Due Date
  • Points 0
  • Submitting a text entry box or a file upload
  • Evaluate the conditions that currently support life on Earth (biosphere) and compare them to the conditions that exist on other planets and moons in the solar system (e.g., atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, amounts of incoming solar energy, habitable zone)

So far in our observation of the universe Earth is the only place we have evidence of life. Because of this we can infer that conditions on other objects must be similar to those of Earth for there to be life. Look over the list below. It is not all inclusive, nor does an object have to have ALL of these things to have some form of life. Go through this interactive about Conditions that Support Life Links to an external site..


Requirements for Life:

  • Liquid water (habitable zone)
  • Carbon
  • Oxygen (O2)
  • Volcanism (creates atmosphere)
  • Energy Source 
    • Light (photosynthesis)
    • Internal heat (chemosynthesis)
  • Rocky Body (not gasseous)
  • Atmosphere to block harmful rays
  • Magnetic field blocks solar wind (molten, spinning core)


Here is some additional information about some of the terms you may be unfamiliar with:

Goldilocks Zone or Habitable Zone

ESCI A.S1.O2.A3 Science Casts - Getting to Know the Goldilocks Planet VID Links to an external site.

For a short explanation:  http://www.goldilocks-zone.com/english/spoint-e_a.html (Links to an external site.)

For a little more depth:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitable_zone (Links to an external site.)

For some fun info on how scientists are looking for alien worlds in the Goldilocks Zone: http://science.howstuffworks.com/other-earth.htm Links to an external site.



How Volcanoes Create an Atmosphere

http://scijinks.jpl.nasa.gov/atmosphere-formation/ Links to an external site.



Photosynthesis and Chemosynthesis

http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/photochemo.html Links to an external site.

 

Magnetosphere Blocks Solar Wind

To create a magnetic field a planet must have a spinning iron core. This spinning core creates a field that blocks incoming solar winds produced by the Sun.


For your assignment, you will be writing an argumentative essay. Here's your scenario:

Imagine you are a NASA project manager. You have been given enough funds to send only one mission to a planet or moon in our solar system to search for life. You only have one shot to do this and want to make sure that you pick the best possible place to send your mission. Write a proposal describing which object you pick and why. Make sure to include characteristics from the list above. You will need to do online research to learn about solar system bodies and their attributes that will sustain life. Submit your proposal in the text box below. Your proposal should give a good description of the object you chose and a good argument as to why it should be the proposal NASA should fund. Please write 3 good paragraphs.

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