Infrared Search for Origins of Life
Explore the following interactive link
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/image_
galleries/collection/sirtf_flash/
Your goal is to focus on
“Star Formation” and “Planetary Systems”
Research with a partner
INDEX CARD: EVENT
You 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 Stars
While 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.teacher
sdomain.org/asset/
ess05_vid_fusion/
The Origin of the Moon
1. 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.teachersdom
ain.org/asset/ess05_vid_
moon/
Jupiter: Earth’s Shield
1. 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.o
rg/asset/ess05_vid_jupitersrol
e/
Global Warming:
The Physics of the Greenhouse Effect
1.
2.
3.
4.
Explain why the greenhouse
effect is beneficial to Earth.
In your response address
radiant energy, reradiated
energy (heat/infrared
energy), and average
temperature equilibrium.
Recall Earth’s average
temperature.
Relate how burning fossil
fuels can change the
average temperature
equilibrium?
How does Earth’s
atmosphere impact life?
http://www.teachersdomain.o
rg/asset/phy03_vid_greenhous
e2/
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.teachersd
omain.org/asset/ess0
5_vid_water/
Life Before Oxygen
Video
1. 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.teachersdom
ain.org/asset/tdc02_vid_s
tetteroxy/
Deep Time
Interactive
1. 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
http://www.teachersdomain.or
g/ext/ess05_img_walloftime/in
dex.html
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.
Life’s Little Essential: Liquid Water
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/
evolution/liquid-of-life.html
Article
Based 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?
Mars Dead or Alive: Mars Up Close
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/swf/1/audiogallery/audiogallery.swf?init_file=mars-up-close
Do you think that it is possible for life to
have existed on Mars?
Why or Why not?
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.
Caves: Extreme Conditions for Life
Video
http://www.teachersdomain.org/ass
et/ess05_vid_lifecondtn/
• 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?
How to Find a Habitable Planet
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/review
s/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.