Reference no: EM132450427
1a. What is the kinetic energy of the International Space Station in orbit around Earth, in Joules (J)? Choose closest answer. ISS orbits with the speed of 7.3 km/s. You will need to look up the mass of ISS online.
10^13 J 10^14 J 10^15 J 10^16 J 10^17 J
What mass did you find for the ISS, in kg?* Your answer
1b. Imagine we accelerate the ISS to 10 percent of the speed of light and send it to explore stars. What would be its kinetic energy in this case?
2*10^16 J 2*10^18 J 2*10^20 J 2*10^22 J 2*10^24 J
1c. The largest nuclear test in our history, Tsar Bomba in 1961, released about 2*10^17 J of energy. Energy of how many Tsar Bombas would be required to give the kinetic energy of ISS at 0.1c, which you calculated above? Enter a number. Your answer
1d. The annual world energy consumption is about 10^21 J. How many years, or fraction of a year, of world consumption would be required to give the kinetic energy of ISS at 0.1c? Enter a number. Your answer
2. Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
2a. Our earliest TV transmissions that escaped into outer space were sent in the 1930s. If an alien civilization is located 80 light years away and they detect this signal, when might we expect to hear back from them? [10pt]* Choose closest answer. Assume the aliens immediately send us a response once they pick up our signals.
We should have heard from them 40 years ago Any day now 80 years from now 120 years from now 160 years from now
2b. Assume you wanted to have a discussion with a civilization located near the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. What would be the minimum time between sending the signal and receiving a reply? [10pt]* We live about 2.5*10^20 meters from the center of the galaxy.
600 years 1200 years 26000 years 52000 years 1.2 million years
2c. If we were to detect an alien signal from the SETI program, should we respond? Is the contact with aliens likely to be beneficial or harmful to our civilization? [10pt]* Think about possible consequences. For credit, you must justify your answer with two sentences of logical explanation. Your answer
3. Fermi Paradox and Habitability
3a. Given all the factors discussed in this class, how do you personally resolve the Fermi paradox? [10pt]* Be sure to bring at least 2 pieces of evidence to support your position. You cannot copy and paste any online material - that would receive 0 credit. Your answer
3b. Which definition of the habitable zone is likely to include the most planets?
Microbial life habitable zone Animal life habitable zone Intelligent life habitable zone Continuously habitable zone
3c. Write in your own words what you consider to be the most appropriate definition of the habitable zone. Justify your reasoning. Your answer