Learning Objectives

LOs:

Class 1

By the end of this class, you should be able to:

  1. Outline how we may study the possibility of extraterrestrial life
  2. Describe what we study in astrobiology
  3. State what Drake equation estimates

Class 2

  1. State what Drake equation estimates
  2. Define lightyear
  3. Compare the scales involved in the observable Universe using “order of magnitude”

Class 3

  1. Compare the scales involved in the observable Universe using “order of magnitude”
  2. List observational evidences that support nebular theory of solar system formation

Class 4

  1. List observational evidences that support nebular theory of solar system formation
  2. Describe how planets may form from a collapsing nebula

Class 5

  1. State how Hot Jupiter presents a challenge in the planetary system formation theory

Class 6

  1. List essential characteristics of “life”
  2. State two theories of origin of life on Earth

Class 7

  1. Describe the main ideas of chemical evolution theories of origin of life on Earth
  2. State the main idea of the RNA world hypothesis

Class 8

  1. Describe one exoplanets detection method

Class 9

  1. Describe how we can study 
    1. stars’ properties and 
    2. exoplanets’ properties 

using EM spectra

Class 10

  1. State a few reasons why we search for life on Mars
  2. State the importance of a habitable zone in a planetary system

Give an example of possibly habitable place to search for extraterrestrial life (other than Mars)