Imagine life elsewhere
Sujet :
An amazing exoplanetary system was identified in 2015, consisting of seven planets with masses like to Earth’s, orbiting a dwarf star named TRAPPIST-1. In a science fiction story centred on this system, the author examines the potential conditions for life on one of these planets, with particular focus on issues related to the perception and passage of time. Does this work rigorously consider the available scientific data regarding this system? Does it succeed in generating reader’s interest in the unique environment that would characterize this small region of our galaxy ? ?
Level : high school
Duration : Two sessions of two hours each
Prerequisite :
- The TRAPPIST-1 system
- Habitable zone, Equilibrium temperature
- Transit
- Synodic period
- [Transits of Venus & and Mercure
Objectives :
- Analyse the observational data of the TRAPPIST-1 system and examine the appearance of the sun and planets from the sky of one of these planets.
- Read a story specifically written for this system.
- Verify, through calculations, the various results presented in this story.
- Learn how it is possible to imagine the potential environment for life on a habitable planet based on observational data.
Materials to prepare :
- Internet connection
- A science fiction story written on this topic (appendix 1)
- Calculator
- Polystyrene spheres and flashlights
Subject, Annexe and correction :
Author : Mimoza Hafizi, Professor, University of Tirana, Albania