Universal Properties

Question 1

You are to find a scientifically valid article about the nature of life and extremophiles.

• What are the most extreme forms of life we know of on earth?
• What features of extremophiles are interesting for the search for life elsewhere in our solar system?
• How do different organisms get their energy?
• How do they form?
• What are likely universal properties of life that can inform the search for life in the universe?

You are to find a scientifically valid article about the search for extrasolar planets

• How many extrasolar planets have currently been found? How do they vary?
• What observatories are currently being used for this research? What methods do they use?
• What information about an extrasolar planet can we find out? How?

Question 2

Choose one factor and explain how this factor affects Earth Carrying Capacity.!!

Question 3

Would it make sense to build an X-ray telescope at the Lick Observatory, which is located on Mt. Hamilton, just to the East of San Jose, CA? Write a short paragraph explaining why or why not.

What can astronomers learn about an object simply by observing its color (i.e., its peak blackbody or thermal emission)? How does this work? Write a short paragraph.