AST202 Astrobiology : Life in the Universe

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AST202 Astrobiology Life in the Universe A
BRAND NEW University Elective Unit
Examine the possibility of life elsewhere in our
Universe!

• Solar System
• Origin of life on Earth
• Habitable worlds

• Stars and Galaxies
• Exoplanet detection
• Life detection

• UP for LIFE
• Search and communicate

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Topics
Ideal for study by biologists, Earth scientists,
geographers, biologists, information scientists,
and anyone curious about life in the Universe!
Life and the Solar System Origin of Life,
Habitable Worlds, Extreme Environments, Habitable
Zones, Exploration of Mars, Meteorites, Icy
Bodies and Europa, Titan
Life and the Universe Detection of Exoplanets,
The Nature and Composition of Exoplanetary
Systems, How to Find Life on Exoplanets, Search
for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, SETI, CETI,
cosmology
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Exciting Textbook with On-Line Resources
Links to Astrobiology Sites
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Questions

How do we explore the possibility of life
elsewhere in the Universe?

• Life
• Are we alone? Does life exist elsewhere?
• What is life? How did life originate?
• What conditions are needed for life?

• The Universe
• Could life exist on Mars, Europa or Titan?
• Are comets and meteorites important?
• How do we detect exoplanets?
• How might life on exoplanets be found?
• How would we communicate?

Exploring Habitable Zones
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Topical and Newsworthy
Hear reports on the latest astrobiology news

• Titan
• Are there hydrocarbon seas on Titan?
• How can it help reveal the origins of life?

• Mars
• How are we sure about water on Mars?
• Could there be life in a frozen sea?

• Comets
• Did comets bring life to Earth?
• What will Deep Impact mission discover?

Comet Macholtz (2005)
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On-line Tests
with immediate results

• Practice
• multiple attempts
• large question bank

• Assessment 1
• 2 short MCQ tests
• 60 contribution
• 40 overall to pass

Extrasolar Habitats for Life
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Self Assessment
On-line Quizzes
On-Line WebCT Resources
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CLEA Experiment
Search for potential locations of life

• Virtual Telescope
• record observations
• analyse your results

• Assessment 2
• test based on worksheet
• 40 contribution
• 40 overall to pass

Contemporary LearningExperiences in
Astronomy Quest for Object X
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Clanfield Observatory http//www.hantsastro.org.uk
/
24 inch reflecting telescope
Explore the night sky for real!

• Hampshire Astronomical Group
• Tour, demonstrations, talks
• and observations

5 inch refractor

• Two visits per semester
• free of charge
• regardless of weather!
• Solar System and deep sky
• wide range of telescopes equipment

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South Downs Planetarium http//www.southdowns.org.
uk/
Explore the night sky in any weather!

• Educational Value
• helps understanding
• lively presentations
• highlights topical events

10 metre dome 100 seat star theatre Largest
planetarium in the South

• One visit per semester
• free of charge
• free transport
• regardless of weather!

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Interactive Classes
See the night sky in any weather!

• Educational Value
• helps understanding
• lively presentations
• highlights topical events

individual handset Ask the Audience anonymous
answers

• One visit per semester
• free of charge
• free transport
• regardless of weather!

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Further Information
AST202 Astrobiology michael.mccabe_at_port.ac.uk Buck
ingham Building, Floor 1 http//publishing.cambr
idge.org/resources/0521546214
Spectrum of Earth-like Planet

• Other AST Elective Units
• AST101 Universe Stars and GalaxiesAST103
• Universe The Solar System

Listening for Intelligent Life