NATS 1880 Study Guide - Final Guide: Galilean Moons, Chemical Polarity, Encephalization
Document Summary
Importance (advantages of water) rare solid less dense than liquid, ice freezes at top, polar molecule, encourages reactions. Life on planets other than mars highly unlikely. Life on some moons (jupiter & saturn) might be possible. Exploration of solar system using robotic craft. Main geological features (polar caps, volcanic activity, impact craters, valles marineris. Excellent evidence for liquid water on surface in past (now primarily under surface and polar caps. Size, composition and structure (especially galilean moons) Synchronous rotation and effects of tides (heating) Venus hot because of runaway greenhouse effect. Factors that influence habitable zone: (distance from star, size and atmosphere of planet. Death of sun (planetary nebula, white dwarf. Lifetime and number of stars in each class. Doppler (radical velocity changes of host star) Low mass stars live long, 97% are as heavy as the sun or lighter. Possibility earth is rare (galactic constraints, impacts and jovian planets, climate stability etc.
