Water Beyond Earth

STEP 1

Origin of water on Earth

Could some of Earth's water have arrived from space?

Water deliveries 0 / 3

💧

Water-bearing asteroid Contains water-rich material

Cooling Earth as liquid water begins to form

Early Earth Cooling Earth

4.4 bya 4.2 bya 4.0 bya ~3.8 bya

Earth age: approximately 4.4 billion years ago

Water-rich material delivered

STEP 2

What does a planet need to retain liquid water?

Investigate three conditions that influence whether water can persist on a planet.

Investigate the conditions

🌡️

Temperature Which conditions allow liquid water?

Select the condition that could allow liquid water to persist.

🌍

Gravity Can the planet retain water?

H₂O

Low gravity Stronger gravity

Increase the gravitational strength and test whether water remains near the planet.

☀️

Stellar environment Compare two stellar conditions.

Explore both stellar environments.

✓ Conditions investigated A planet needs more than a supply of water. Its physical environment determines whether liquid water can persist.

STEP 3

Search for potentially habitable worlds

Use the telescope to examine five real exoplanets and decide where liquid water might potentially exist.

Worlds investigated 0 / 5

Select the observatory to locate the next exoplanet.

DETECTED WORLD —

✦ No world detected

Use the observatory to scan deep space.

HABITABILITY EVIDENCE

What should we consider?

Evaluate

◉

Planet characteristics Is this an Earth-like world?

Planet type —

Size —

☀

Orbit & Goldilocks zone Could temperatures permit liquid water?

Orbital period —

Too hot Habitable zone Too cold

—

✦

Stellar environment Could the star threaten the atmosphere?

—

Ask yourself Could liquid water plausibly persist on this world?

Could this world potentially support liquid water?

✓ Survey complete

A planet being in a habitable zone does not prove that life exists there. It only means conditions may allow liquid water under suitable circumstances.

Step 1 of 3

Deliver water to early Earth

One hypothesis proposes that water-rich asteroids contributed water to the early Earth. Launch several asteroids and observe how the planet changes.

Goal Deliver water to Earth three times.

MODULE COMPLETE

You investigated possible origins of Earth's water, the conditions needed to retain liquid water, and how scientists assess potentially habitable worlds.

XP earned +20 XP

A1.1 Water Learning modules complete

4 / 4

You've completed all four A1.1 Water learning modules.

A1.1 MASTERY Water Badge

Complete all A1.1 Water activities to earn the Water Badge.

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