Introduction
Saving Earth
One reason for human beings to become interplanetary is the possibility of Earth facing a catastrophic threat.
According to NASA, an asteroid with the following mass (50 million megatons):
(5000 kg/m3) x pi (5000 m)2 x (10,000 m) = 4 x 1015 kg
and the kinetic energy, traveling at 30,000 mph (= 1 x 104 m/sec) is
(1/2) x (4 x 1015 kg) x (1 x 104 m/sec)2 = 2 x 1023 joule
might have impacted the Earth in the not-so-distant past, and was responsible for causing the extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period.
Pre-Introduction
Consider what you know about astrophysics:
- How large is the universe?
- How many habitable planets might exist?
- In what ways will humanity's ability to travel change in the next 20 years?
Introduction
Watch the video here or on Space.com. When finished, read the article. As you listen and read, create discussion questions for your group/class.
Is the Nearest Alien Planet Proxima b Habitable? 'It's Complicated'
Jesse Contributor - https://www.space.com/33915-newfound-planet-proxima-b-habitability.html
Post-Listening
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