Socratic Seminar Questions Eric Song 8C 1. Is there extraterrestrial life? Yes - The possibility is endless.

- Jill Tarters TED Talk: Earth is a tiny part of the solar system, which is a tiny part of the Orion Arm, which is a tiny part of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is a tiny part of the universe. Opposition cant say for certain that there are no life out there because there are so many doors of possibility. - We have to remember that a planet doesnt need to t the life-sustaining conditions of humans because some organisms can cope with extreme conditions. - exoplanets that not humans, but certain extreme organisms could sustain to live in. - Detect Alien Life On a Tight Budget, we have discovered Kepler 22b, which resides within the habitable zone and is located in the region that supports water. No - Definition of life: performs metabolism (the set of life-sustaining chemical transformations within the cells of living organisms) - Lack of technology and information - the planets are too far away from reach and rarely are any planets inhabited within the habitable zone. - because of the lack knowledge and spacecrafts moving to gain and extract information, it is difficult to know if that planet is habitable.

2. If there is extraterrestrial life, where is it most likely to be? - in the habitable zone - outside our galaxy because so far there are 400 billion stars and we have found around 350 already. - However, there are only a few that contain characteristics that can sustain life, such existing on our Earth. Some planets have the atmosphere, but is unable to support liquid water and some have water, but a very cold temperature. Therefore, it is unlikely that a star that can sustain life in the Milky Way will be easy to find. It is likely to be in another galaxy, where we have no access to except receive signals in the current state.

3. If there is extraterrestrial life, is it like life on Earth? Yes - If we nd a planet within the habitable zone with the right conditions - Need to nd planets with water No - We have to remember that a planet doesnt need to t the life-sustaining conditions of humans because some organisms can cope with extreme conditions. - exoplanets that not humans, but certain extreme organisms could sustain to live in. - ex) Archea would be able to survive in extremely hot temperature. - ex) Ice worms would be able to survive in extremely cold temperature

4. Do you think humans will discover extraterrestrial life in your lifetime? Yes -NASA and other organizations would develop better tools and objects which would help astronomers discover other life-forms - Already found Kepler 22b - We just need to deeply investigate the habitable zone No -it took 14 years to discover only 350 billion stars in the Milky Way - very hard to discover a planet or star that can support human life to exist - needs the right conditions to perform metabolism

5. Do you think the career of searching for extraterrestrial life is a worthwhile career or a waste of time?

Yes (worthwhile) -even if you dont discover or make any developments in your life, you would have made improvements and lessened the burden for the astronomer in the next generation - if those discoveries pile up, its going to lead to success in the future - contributing nature of science

No (waste) - just a waste of money and effort - universe is so big that we can only investigate so much

6. What do you think will be the first evidence of extraterrestrial life? The first evidence that will be spotted will be if there is a sustainable atmosphere in the certain star or planet. If there is an atmosphere to support life, then astronomers should see if extreme life forms such as Archea and bacteria can survive. Then, test the temperature and see if Eukaryotes can survive in such temperatures. The first evidence would be the atmosphere and how close it is to the light source. 7. Do you think searching for Earth like planets is the best way to search for extraterrestrial life? Yes - The best way to sustain life is the way that it is done on Earth - We know that if a planet has the conditions of Earth, there will be life No - We have to remember that a planet doesnt need to t the life-sustaining conditions of humans because some organisms can cope with extreme conditions. - exoplanets that not humans, but certain extreme organisms could sustain to live in.

Ted Talk: Are we alone in the Universe? Earth is a tiny part of the solar system, which is a tiny part of the Orion Arm, which is a tiny part of the Milky Way Galaxy, which is a tiny part of the universe. Its all about perspective. Sun - People think that the sun is the basis of food chain and necessity of life - not necessarily true *life that loves the heat / cold (ex. ice worms) Venus - Goldilock zone (Not to hot / Not to cold) - It has thick atmosphere (Carbon dioxide) (Too hot.. so water becomes gas) Mars - Goldilock zone - Too cold (100% humidity) - Ices are poles - NASA landed in Mars twice successfully (scooped up soil) - Result of life was negative - Evidence of water (ow / channels) (Underneath the soil) *Either underneath the soil of out to space* - Mars was wetter and warmer in the past (standing water) (Evidence was found) (Plenty of water) Titan - Moon from Saturn (Has thick haze) - Almost a Planet - Surface is ice / vulcanism / Lava / Liquid Water (Ocean of Water) Ocean - Deep oceans (High heat ow environments)