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Planet # Star Difference in Distance Difference in Planet Difference in temperature (K) Star from star distance from Star Radius Planet temperature (AU) compared to Earth (RE) Radius (AU) compared to the Sun (K) compared to Earth (RE) 1 4900 5810 – 4900 0.9 1-0.9 1.7 1-1.7 =910 = 0.1 = -0.7 2 5200 5810 – 5200 0.92 1-0.92 2.0 1- 2.0 = 610 = 0.08 = - 1.0 6900 5810 – 6900 1.5 1-1.5 2.2 1-2.2 =-1090 =-0.5 = -1.2 Which of these planets (in the example data above) is closest to Earth in the most categories? In our simplified way of looking at this, we'll call that the planet on which we might expect life.

Planet # Star Difference in Distance Difference in Planet Difference in temperature (K) Star from star distance from Star Radius Planet temperature (AU) compared to Earth (RE) Radius (AU) compared to the Sun (K) compared to Earth (RE) 1 4900 5810 – 4900 0.9 1-0.9 1.7 1-1.7 =910 = 0.1 = -0.7 2 5200 5810 – 5200 0.92 1-0.92 2.0 1- 2.0 = 610 = 0.08 = - 1.0 6900 5810 – 6900 1.5 1-1.5 2.2 1-2.2 =-1090 =-0.5 = -1.2 Which of these planets (in the example data above) is closest to Earth in the most categories? In our simplified way of looking at this, we'll call that the planet on which we might expect life.

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
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Planetary Mass and Size Even if we were to find the right type of star with a planet orbiting at the right distance, it would not really matter if the planet did not have a suitable atmosphere capable of supporting life. An important factor determining whether a planet has the right kind of atmosphere is its mass and radius. If a planet is not massive or large enough, there would not be sufficient gravity to keep the atmospheric gas molecules bound to the planet. Yet, if the planet is too massive, it may have an atmosphere that is far too dense to support any Earth- like life forms. Based on this measure, it appears that a planet orbiting within the habitable zone around a Sun- like star may require a mass of approximately 0.5 to 10 Earth masses and a radius of 0.8 to 2.2 Earth radii to retain an atmosphere. Recall from Assignment 2 that the mass of Earth is approximately 5.98 x 1027g and its average radius is 6371 km. Therefore, the range in mass is ~2.99 x 1027 to 5.98 x 1028g, and range for planetary radius is 5097 km to 14016 km. Example Planet # Star Difference in Distance Difference in Planet Difference in temperature (K) Star from star distance from Star Radius Planet temperature (AU) compared to Earth (RE) Radius compared to the Sun (K) compared to Earth (RE) (AU) 1 4900 5810 – 4900 0.9 1-0.9 1.7 1-1.7 =910 = 0.1 = -0.7 2 5200 5810 – 5200 0.92 1-0.92 2.0 1- 2.0 = 610 = 0.08 = - 1.0 1- 1.5 1- 2.2 = -1.2 6900 5810 – 6900 1.5 2.2 =-1090 =-0.5 Which of these planets (in the example data above) is closest to Earth in the most categories? In our simplified way of looking at this, we'll call that the planet on which we might expect life.
Transcribed Image Text:Planetary Mass and Size Even if we were to find the right type of star with a planet orbiting at the right distance, it would not really matter if the planet did not have a suitable atmosphere capable of supporting life. An important factor determining whether a planet has the right kind of atmosphere is its mass and radius. If a planet is not massive or large enough, there would not be sufficient gravity to keep the atmospheric gas molecules bound to the planet. Yet, if the planet is too massive, it may have an atmosphere that is far too dense to support any Earth- like life forms. Based on this measure, it appears that a planet orbiting within the habitable zone around a Sun- like star may require a mass of approximately 0.5 to 10 Earth masses and a radius of 0.8 to 2.2 Earth radii to retain an atmosphere. Recall from Assignment 2 that the mass of Earth is approximately 5.98 x 1027g and its average radius is 6371 km. Therefore, the range in mass is ~2.99 x 1027 to 5.98 x 1028g, and range for planetary radius is 5097 km to 14016 km. Example Planet # Star Difference in Distance Difference in Planet Difference in temperature (K) Star from star distance from Star Radius Planet temperature (AU) compared to Earth (RE) Radius compared to the Sun (K) compared to Earth (RE) (AU) 1 4900 5810 – 4900 0.9 1-0.9 1.7 1-1.7 =910 = 0.1 = -0.7 2 5200 5810 – 5200 0.92 1-0.92 2.0 1- 2.0 = 610 = 0.08 = - 1.0 1- 1.5 1- 2.2 = -1.2 6900 5810 – 6900 1.5 2.2 =-1090 =-0.5 Which of these planets (in the example data above) is closest to Earth in the most categories? In our simplified way of looking at this, we'll call that the planet on which we might expect life.
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