1. Ardrossan Academy Dead Earth
Subtopic – SPACE –
LIFE ON OTHER WORLDS

2. I will be successful if I can :
Lesson Title:
Life on Other Worlds
Learning Intention:.
To research conditions on other planets and moons to decide if it could support life
Activity: Internet research
I will be successful if I can :
Summarise the conditions on another planet or moon, decide whether or not it could support life, and explain my decision.

3. OTHER WORLDS
Our Solar system has a single star, eight planets and over 170 known moons.
As far as we know, only the Earth has life of any kind.
What is so special about the Earth?

4. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY ‘LIFE’?
Human beings are the most complex living things on Earth
But living things on Earth also include plants, animals, bacteria, fungi

5. WHAT DOES ‘LIFE’ NEED?
All living things on Earth need three things to survive
Liquid water
A source of energy
A protective environment
These depend on
Temperature
Sunlight
Atmosphere & material of the planet

6. THE HABITABLE ZONE
The temperature on Earth is ideal for water to exist in liquid form
Closer to the Sun it is too hot
Farther from the Sun it is too cold
This puts Earth in the ‘Habitable Zone’ for the Sun

7. WATER AND LIFE
Liquid water is needed for many of the chemical reactions that support life
It also provides a habitat for many living things
The water cycle is vital to provide fresh water for living things

8. OTHER FEATURES
The Earth also has an atmosphere rich in oxygen, though many living things – especially plants do not need oxygen to live
The Earth’s magnetic field also protects us from harmful particles and radiation from the Sun

9. LIFE ON OTHER WORLDS
Astronomers have been searching for planets orbiting other stars since the invention of telescope
The first EXOPLANET was discovered in 1994
The number now known is almost 2000

10. LIFE ON OTHER WORLDS
Very few of these exoplanets are in the habitable zone for their stars
Those that are may not have ideal conditions for life
If there is life on these planets, it may be very simple – e.g bacteria

11. RESEARCH TASK
For your planet or moon search the internet to find out about its –
Temperature
Atmosphere
Gravity
Other important features
Use your findings to decide if there could be life on this other world.