Transcript Origin of Stars, Planets, and Life in the Universe

The Origin of
Stars, Planets, and
Life in the Universe
Dr. Matt Bobrowsky
[email protected]
Poll Question:
Do you think there is life
 even just primitive
forms of life  on other
worlds?
Do you think there is intelligent
life on other worlds?
YES
NO
UNDECIDED
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Use a stamp “X” to select the most
abundant element in the universe.
neon
nitrogen
hydrogen
oxygen
helium
carbon
sodium
iron
Axis of rotation
Approx. 1 light year
Axis of rotation
Rotation retards
collapse in this
direction
Slowly spinning
interstellar cloud
Gravity makes cloud
shrink. As it shrinks it spins
caster and flattens into a
disk with central bulge.
Approx.
100 AU
Big Questions in Science
Questions about origins:
• Where did we come from?
• Are we alone?
Other astrobiology questions:
1. How did life on Earth form?
2. Should we expect life on many other worlds?
3. Is life on other worlds like life on Earth?
4. How can we detect life elsewhere?
Poll Question:
What chemical elements
were created by the Big
Bang?
The Life Cycle of Stars…
H2
NH3
CH4
H2O
Put a stamp on the most
abundant element in life on Earth.
neon
nitrogen
hydrogen
oxygen
helium
carbon
sodium
iron
The Most Abundant Chemical Elements
 in the Universe and in Life
In the Universe
•
•
•
•
•
H
He
O
C
N
In Life
•
•
•
•
•
H
O
C
N
A few facts about
Life on Earth
• Life on Earth is carbon-based.
• Life on Earth requires liquid water
• The amino acids in life are easily
formed.
Finding Life
• First find planets.
One way uses the Doppler Effect.
Another way to find planets is to look for
transits.
Kepler
Terrestrial Planet
Finder
Signs of Life
(not yet possible to detect with current technology)
•
•
•
•
Seasonal changes
Unusual abundances of gases
Gases produced by life
Unusual patterns of electromagnetic
radiation (e.g., radio or TV broadcasts,
the nighttime glow of cities)
Summary
• We have learned an enormous amount about
the origins of stars and planets.
• We are just starting to learn about life in the
universe.
• These explorations require a team effort
involving scientists from many disciplines.
• There is still much more to explore. Your
students will be able to make discoveries and
help us learn even more!
NASA’s Navigator Missions:
http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/
Origins Education Forum:
http://origins.stsci.edu/
Poll Question:
Do you think there is life
 even just primitive
forms of life  on other
worlds?
Do you think there is intelligent
life on other worlds?
YES
NO
UNDECIDED