KS3 starter

© Snapshot Science, 2010

Astronomers have discovered a Solar System that is similar to ours.

Could aliens live on one of the planets?

What conditions need to exist for life?Image credit: ESO/L Calçado

KS3 activity

© Snapshot Science, 2010

Scientists believe that for life to exist on a planet, it must be at the right temperature for water to exist as a liquid.

Not too hot, and not too cold. This area is called the

‘Goldilocks Zone’

Image credit: darkpatator

KS3 activity

© Snapshot Science, 2010

The 7 planets in this Solar System orbit a star called HD10180.

Here is how it compares to our star.

The Sun HD10180

Mass: 332 900 x EarthSurface temperature: 5505°C

Mass: 532 640 x EarthSurface temperature: 5638°C

Here is some data about our own Solar System and the newly discovered one. Use it, and the information about the two stars, to comment on how likely it is that life exists on one of the planets.

Give reasons for your answer.

KS3 activity

© Snapshot Science, 2010

PlanetDiameter

(km)

Distance to Sun (million

km)

Time for 1 orbit (planet's 'year')

Average temperature

(0C)

Mass (ratio to Earth)

Composition

Mercury 5000 60 88 days 430 0.06 Rock

Venus 12000 110 220 days 470 0.82 Rock

Earth 12800 150 365 1/4 days 20 1 Rock

Mars 7000 230 2 years -20 0.11 Rock

Jupiter 140000 780 12 years -150 317.8 Gas

Saturn 120000 1400 30 years -180 95.2 Gas

Uranus 52000 2900 84 years -210 14.5 Gas

Neptune 50000 4500 160 years -220 17.1 Gas

PlanetDistance to HD10180

(million km)Mass (ratio to Earth)

Planet A 3 1.4Planet B 9 between 12 and 25Planet C 19 between 12 and 25Planet D 40 between 12 and 25Planet E 73 between 12 and 25Planet F 212 between 12 and 25Planet G 509 65