Life Elsewhere
Astrobiologists believe that three ingredients which are vital for life. They are water, energy, and organic molecules such as carbon (C). Energy and organic molecules are abundant in the Universe. But liquid water is rare.
- The Habitable Zone (HZ)
A habitable zone (HZ) is the area around a star where liquid water could exist on or near the surface of a planet. We call it an HZ because we believe liquid water is vital for the existence of life.
An HZ is sometimes called a CHZ, where the C stands for 'continuously' or 'circumstellar'. The name Goldilocks Zone is perhaps a more useful way to describe an HZ. It is a region that is not too hot, and not too cold, but just right! The size and location of an HZ depend on the size and type of the star.
Design a Planet
There are 8 planets in our Solar System. And there are many thousands of planets orbiting around other stars. We call these planets exoplanets.
Let's Explore Aliens!
Next time it's dark, why don't you look up!
Even if we can't go into space we can still learn a lot about it from right here on the ground.
Use this activity pack to learn all about aliens and life in space - let us help you explore!
Host A Space Debate
Should humans colonise Mars? Is there life in the Universe? Science continually seeks to answer big questions - but it takes a lot of research and communication to come to a consensus.
Why not host a debate and try it yourself?
Aomawa Shields
Early Life
Aomawa grew up in New Hampshire, USA. She wanted to be lots of things when she was young (including a cheerleader or an orthopaedist) but became interested in astronomy after watching the film ‘Space Camp’ when she was 12. Aomawa used to get up early in the morning to see Jupiter’s moons in the sky. She studied Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at university but then took a break from science, studying for a Master’s degree in Acting.
Research Areas: Astrobiology, Exoplanets
"There was always this feeling that I had to be a certain type of scientist… I don’t believe that anymore."
Carl Sagan
Early Life
Carl Sagan grew up in Brooklyn, USA in a working-class family. Carl’s interest in astronomy began as a 5-year old child when he would visit the library to find books about stars. He loved science fiction books and became fascinated by extra-terrestrial life. As a teenager, he visited museums and science fairs, to learn as much as he could. He went to university aged 16, to study physics, alongside genetics, chemistry, and biology.
Year born: 1934
Research Areas: Extraterrestrial Life, Planetary Science
"Not explaining science seems to me perverse.
When you're in love, you want to tell the world."