Extrasolar Planets
Universe from Nothing?: A Critique of Lawrence Krauss' Book, Part 1
He asserts that the universe came from “nothing” rather than from God. However, the different “nothings” that Krauss appeals to for his explanations are really “some … more
Tidally Locked Exoplanets Not Good for life
You might have seen IOPScience, CLIMATE INSTABILITY ON TIDALLY LOCKED EXOPLANETS, Apr 03, 2012; http://iopscience.iop.org/0004-637X/743/1/41 more
Billions of Habitable Planets
You might have seen Guardian.co.uk, 'Tens of billions' of habitable exoplanets in Milky Way, Mar 28, 2012; http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/mar/28/billions-habitable-exoplanets-milky-way more
Through the Lens: Astronomy, "Searching for Other Earths" (Standard Definition)
Video Url: http://c450919.r19.cf2.rackcdn.com/ttl_astronomy_rockyplanets_sd.mp4
Discussion Ideas
Before watching the video:
Activity: Look up the term "habitable zone." (This will be discussed further in the video clip.)
Activity: Research why astronomers … more
Through the Lens: Astronomy, "Rocky Exoplanets"
Video Url: http://c4847023.r23.cf2.rackcdn.com/ttl_astronomy_rockyplanets.mp4
Discussion Ideas
Please be patient while we load your HD video.
Before watching the video:
Activity: Look up the term "habitable zone." (This will be discussed further in the … more
TNRTB Classic: Exoplanet Studies
Despite the probable existence of billions of planets in the Milky Way Galaxy, evidence continues to demonstrate that Earth may be alone in manifesting all the attributes for sustaining advanced life. … more
Chaos versus Order in Planetary Systems
For the first time, new computer simulation studies reveal what makes our solar system so special and why, despite the probable existence of billions of planets in the Milky Way Galaxy, Earth may be … more
Steamy Alien Planet
You might have seen Yahoo! News, "New Type of Alien Planet Is a Steamy 'Waterworld'" Feb 21, 2012; http://news.yahoo.com/type-alien-planet-steamy-waterworld-162802250.html more
Alien Planet Could Support Life
You might have seen Scientific American, "Newfound Alien Planet is Best Candidate Yet to Support Life, Scientists Say" Feb 01, 2012; … more
160 Billion Alien Planets
Yahoo! News, "160 Billion Alien Planets May Exist in Our Milky Way Galaxy" Jan 11, 2012; http://news.yahoo.com/160-billion-alien-planets-may-exist-milky-way-180412397.html more
Super-Earths Cause Super Challenge to Planet-Formation Models
Nature, "Super-Earths give theorists a super headache" Dec 13, 2011; http://www.nature.com/news/super-earths-give-theorists-a-super-headache-1.9636 more
Scientists Discover Two Earth-sized Planets Orbiting a Distant Star
Yahoo! News, "2 Earth-size planets spotted around distant star" Dec 20, 2011; http://news.yahoo.com/2-earth-size-planets-spotted-around-distant-star-180146059.html more
Habitable Zone Planet Discovered
Yahoo! News, "NASA Telescope Confirms Alien Planet in Habitable Zone" Dec 06, 2011; http://news.yahoo.com/nasa-telescope-confirms-alien-planet-habitable-zone-162005358.html more
TNRTB Classic: Beneficial Catastrophes
The migration of the gas giant planets in the early solar system could have destroyed Earth or at least its capacity to support life. Yet it happened in such a way that enhanced Earth’s … more
Solar System May Have Started with Five Gas Giants
With five kids, I often make sure to count and recount them whenever I take my family to a public place. I could make them all hold hands but they prefer that I take a regular inventory. So far, every … more
TNRTB Classic: Extrasolar Planets
Astronomers continue to detect an increasing number of extrasolar planets. These discoveries may seem like a threat to the RTB creation model, but we expected such findings and anticipate that … more
Star Wars-Like Planet Discovered
Star Wars fans will remember the remarkable Tatooine sunset scene from A New Hope. After being told he can’t apply for an off-planet academy, Luke Skywalker heads out of the house to ponder his … more
Star Wars-like planet found?
Science Daily, "NASA's Kepler Discovery Confirms First Planet Orbiting Two Stars" Sep 15, 2011; http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110915144828.htm more
Another Super-Earth in the habitable zone?
USA Today, "Super-Earth spotted on the edge of habitable zone'" Aug 22, 2011; http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2011/08/super-earth-spotted-on-the-edge-of-habitable-zone/1 more
Milankovitch Cycle Design
We all know friends and relatives who exhibit frequent, large mood cycles. In some cases, the cycles can be so extreme as to make maintaining a normal life challenging.
Planetary scientists are … more