What Makes A Planet Habitable?

What does habitable mean?

• existing for a long time

• a stable location

• able to support life

The Habitable Zone is also called the "Goldilocks" zone, after the children's story...It's a region around a star where it's not too hot, and not too cold, and allows the conditions for liquid water to be present. Why would liquid water be important for habitability.

• It is not important.

• Most living things on Earth need water to survive. 

Why is it unlikely for us to find life on the Gas Giant planets?

• There is no solid surface and gravity it too high

• Gravity is too low and the life would float away

• It's too cold for life to be able to form

Why is mass important for determining habitability?

• Mass is not important.

• Mass creates light available. 

• If the planet is not massive enough, it cannot hold on to its atmosphere. 

The axial tilt of a planet causes ---

• day and night.

• seasons.

The magnetic field around a planet protects it from...

• solar radiation

• aliens

• asteroids

What is like a shield that blocks the majority of harmful radiation from destroying life on a planet, but also supplies necessary oxygen to life?

• the hydrosphere

• the atmosphere

• the ionosphere

Are there other habitable planets?

• Yes

• No

• Most likely, but scientists aren't positive because of how far away they are.