Comparing Rocky Planets
Which planet could be the best rocky planet in our solar system to search for evidence of life, besides Earth?
Mars
What is the hydrosphere and give an example?
all the liquid water and ice on a planet
examples: oceans, lakes, rivers, glaciers, and water underground and in the air as water vapor
Give an example of a landform
Mountain, channel, sand dune, valley, canyon
Name the 4 rocky planets
Earth, Mars, Venus, Mercury
What is the geosphere and give an example?
the solid part of a rocky planet
examples: rocks, mountains, soil, and the land
Currently Mars has no liquid water, but it does have what?
ice at the poles
What 2 things does a planet need to support life?
Water and an energy source
What is the atmosphere and give an example?
the mixture of gases surrounding a planet
examples: air, carbon dioxide, nitrogen
To find out if Mars was once habitable, scientists are searching for evidence of what?
past liquid water
What does habitable mean?
having the conditions necessary to support life
What is the biosphere and give an example?
all the living things on a planet
examples: plants, animals, people, and tiny organisms that live in the air, water, and soil
What is a channel?
a long, narrow groove that forms where water, lava, or other liquid flows
Explain how distance from the sun affects the habitability of a planet.
Planets that are closer to the sun are blank and blank.
Planets that are further from the sun blank.
Planets that are closer to the sun are very hot and too hot for life.
Planets that are further from the sun are very cold.
Name the 4 spheres of Earth's system
Hydrosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere.
What is a geologic process?
an event or series of events that causes changes in the geosphere, such as flowing water or flowing lava