Exploring Alien Worlds From Science Fiction to Science Fact
Wright, Dussault, & López-Morales
Our Journey Today • Introductions, initial ideas on alien worlds • Perspective of an “Exoplaneteer” • Authentic science learning with the DIY Planet Search online laboratory • Q and A
Wright, Dussault, & López-Morales
Erika Wright Education Specialist Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Mary Dussault Science Education Program Manager Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Mercedes López-Morales Astronomer Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI
No…not there
No…not there
There
Since 1995, astronomers have discovered more than 5,000 exoplanets orbiting stars far beyond the Solar System
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Exploring Alien Worlds From Science Fiction to Science Fact
What questions, ideas, or interdisciplinary connections are bubbling up?
Mercedes López-Morales Astronomer & “Exoplaneteer” Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
The Search and Characterization of Exoplanets
Exoplanet research involves the search for alien worlds (and alien life)
• What Are Exoplanets? • How Do We Find Them? • The Transit Method • The Dopper Shift Method • How Do We Know What They Are Like? • Spectroscopy: Analyzing light from exoplanet atmospheres • Searching For Biosignatures
What is an exoplanet? Exo-planet = Planet outside the solar system. They orbit around stars other than the Sun
More than 5,000 found to date
How do we find exoplanets? The Transit Method
How do we find exoplanets? The Doppler Shift Method
How do we know what exoplanets are like? Transit method ⇒ Size and Temperature
Gas
Gian
t
Ro ck y an Pl
Doppler method ⇒ Weight (Mass)
et
Spectroscopy: Analyzing Light from Exoplanet Atmospheres Starlight filters through the planet’s atmosphere during transit
Absorption line from the planet
Spectroscopy: Analyzing Light from Exoplanet Atmospheres
What lies ahead? Searching for Biosignatures
Image Credit: Origins Space Telescope
Pause for Questions? Please use the Q and A Portal to ask Dr. Lopez-Morales any questions
Exploring Alien Worlds In Your Classroom
www.microobservatory.org
microobservatory.org
SAO
Animation Credit: NASA/JPL
Image Credit: SAO/C. Grainger
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas Earth’s Place in the Universe (ESS1.A & B)
Scientific and Engineering Practices
Asking questions Developing & using models Planning & carrying out Electromagnetic Radiation investigations (PS4.B) Analyzing & interpreting data Using mathematics & Information Technologies and computational thinking Instrumentation Constructing (PS4.C) explanations/designing solutions Obtaining, evaluating & communicating information
Cross-cutting Concepts Size, scale, & proportion Systems & system models
Image Credit: Courtesy David Aguilar
• Use the telescope to take multiple images of your alien solar system
• Measure the starʼs brightness in each image
• Display and interpret your results • Deduce planetʼs size and orbit
Image Credit: Courtesy David Aguilar
Final Project – Jackie Barge Chicago Public Schools Scientific Poster: Create a poster with the following information:
1. Introduction 2. Methodology 3. Screenshot of your data- your brightness curve
4. Written description (interpretation) of your data
5. Screenshot of a visualization of your
planet, both its orbit and of the planet
6. Create a detailed written description of
your exoplanet. Identify which aspects are based on your data analysis and which are based on your assumptions.
https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-watch/
We invite you to JOIN the DIY Planet Search Community! Sign up for more info: bit.ly/signupDIY
Sign up for more info: bit.ly/signupDIY
Questions? DIY Planet Search is supported by NASA’s Universe of Learning under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC65A to the Space Telescope Science Institute, working in partnership with Caltech/IPAC, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.