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Life In The Cosmos
NSCI 314
38
Science
Undergraduate 4
07/30/2012

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Cards

Term
What are we searching for? (chapt.1)
Definition
Extraterrestrial life
Term
What three areas frame the context of the scientific search for Life?
Definition
Astronomy, Biology, Planetary Science
Term
How does astronomy help us understand the possibilities for extraterrestrail life?
Definition
By studying distant objects
Term

What does geocentric mean?

 

Definition
The Earth is centered
Term

How does planetary science help us understand the possibilities for extraterrestrial life?

 

Definition
Learning how planets form; habitable planets
Term
What are extrasolar planets?
Definition
Planets that orbits stars other than our Sun
Term
What are habitable worlds?
Definition
Contains the basic necessities for life
Term
How does biology help us understand the possibilities for extrarterrestrial life?
Definition
No evidence shows life beyond Earth, so we do not know if Biology is common in other worlds
Term
What are the three lines of evidence that Biology suggest that life could be common?
Definition

1. evidence that organic molecules form eaily and naturally

2. evidence that life appeared early in the history of Earth

3.evidence that earth life can survive under a wide range of conditions

Term
Where should we search for life in the universe?
Definition
Begins on Earth 
Term
What two are the most promising canidates for life other than Earth?
Definition
Mars and Jupiters Moon-Europa
Term
What is crucial to all life on Earth?
Definition
Liquid (Water)
Term
What is astrobiology?
Definition
The study of life in the Universe
Term
Define galaxy?
Definition
large collection of stars
Term
Define galaxy cluster?
Definition
group of galaxies within a galaxy
Term

What is a star?

 

Definition
Ball of gas made up of hydrogen and helium
Term
Anything that orbits a planet is?
Definition
Moon
Term
Anything that orbits a star is?
Definition
Asteroid
Term
Anything that orbits a sun is?
Definition
Comet
Term
What two planets are bigger than Earth?
Definition
Jupiter and Saturn
Term
Is the sun bigger than earth?
Definition
Yes
Term
What is the geocentric model?
Definition
The earth is centered at the center of a great celestial sphere
Term
What direction is apparent retograde motion?
Definition
Moving backward
Term
What is the Ptolematic model?
Definition
the model shows planets moving in a retrograde motion around the Earth in small circles that turned around larger circles
Term
Which model was Aristole?
Definition
geocentric model
Term
Why did the Greeks argue about the possibility of life beyond Earth?
Definition
some believed the world was infinite and some said like Aristole that the world fell into the universe and is seperate from the heavens and earth
Term
What does the Copernicus tells us?
Definition
that the geocentric layout for the solar system is the Sun is centered
Term

What contribution did Tycho Brahe developed?

 

Definition
a large naked eye observatories that worked as a large protractor
Term
What was the contribution of Kepler (3 planetary laws)?
Definition

1. planet distance from sun varies its orbit

2. planet moves faster when its near the sun and slow when its away from the sun

3.distant planet orbit the sun at a slower average

Term
What is perihelion?
Definition
closest to the sun
Term
What is aphelion?
Definition
Farthest from the sun
Term
What are the Hallmarks of Science?
Definition

Hallmark 1.-seeks explanations for observed phenomena that rely soley on natural causes

Hallmark 2.-progresses through creation and testing of models

Hallmark 3.-makes testablee predictions about natural phenomena

Term
Steps of Scientific Method
Definition

1. make an observation

2. ask question

3. suggest hypothesis

4. make prediction

5. perform test

Term

What are the three major lesson astronomy teaches us about our placee in thte universe?

 

Definition

1. unverise is vast and old

2.elements of life is widespread

3. same physical laws that operate on earth operate throughout the universe

Term
What are terrestrial planets?
Definition
planets of metal and rock (earth is one of them)
Term
What are jovian planets?
Definition
Made up of hydrogen,helium,and hydrogen compounds(water,methane, and ammonia)
Term
What is geology?
Definition
study of Earth
Term
What are the six properties that living organism on Earth share?
Definition

1.order

2.reproduction

3.growth and development 

4. energy utilization

5.response to the enviornment

6. evolutionary adaption

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