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Exoplanets/Exoplanets Worksheet

Comparing the earth to an exoplanet.

Subject Integrated: Science

Rationale: In this lesson, students will compare Earth to one of the many exoplanets found by the Kepler spacecraft.

Objectives: Students will be able to compare Earth’s characteristics to those of a specific exoplanet.

• Worksheet (Appendix 2)
• https://www.nasa.gov/kepler/discoveries
• The class could have a costume party, dressing up as exoplanet residents and banqueting on brainstormed exoplanet foods.
• One Google Slide per planet, per student or small group.
• What can we compare and contrast between Earth and your selected exoplanet?
• Optional : Rubrics can be made to score the completion of the requirements on the Google Slide as summative assessment.
• Google slide can be posted on class webpage for study purposes.
• Optional: Rubrics can be used for evaluation of oral presentation.
• NGSS : MS-ESS2-2. (supportive fit) Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth’s surface at varying time and spatial scales.

Click here to download the pdf of this lesson. Click here to download the pdf of the Exoplanet Worksheet

Return to: Life Out of This World: Lesson Plans

The content was developed at Albion College by Professor Nicolle Zellner (Albion College Department of Physics) and Victoria Della Pia (Albion Elementary School), with educational oversight by Melissa Mercer-Tachick (Muse Consulting). To develop these lesson plans and assessments, Victoria Della Pia was supported by a grant from the Foundation for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity at Albion College.

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Extra Terrestial Excursions

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Fourth graders determine how long it would take to fly to each of the planets in the solar system. They do two calculations: one, if they were using conventional jet, the other if they were using the fastest spacecraft possible.

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Exoplanets Facts & Worksheets

Exoplanets are planets that exist outside our solar system, orbiting stars other than the sun. the discovery and study of exoplanets are a significant advancement in the field of astronomy, revolutionizing our understanding of planetary systems and the potential for life beyond earth., search for worksheets, download the exoplanets facts & worksheets.

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Table of Contents

Exoplanets , short for “extrasolar planets,” are planets that exist outside our Solar System, orbiting stars other than the Sun. The discovery and study of exoplanets are a significant advancement in the field of astronomy, revolutionizing our understanding of planetary systems and the potential for life beyond Earth.

See the fact file below for more information about Exoplanets, or you can download our 27-page Exoplanets worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

• The discovery of exoplanets, planets that orbit stars outside our Solar System , has been a groundbreaking achievement in astronomy . Here’s a timeline of the key milestones in the discovery of exoplanets:
• Early Theoretical Predictions: In the 16th century, the Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno suggested that there were many other stars with planets orbiting them, a radical idea at the time.
• Pulsar Planets (1992): The first possible exoplanets were discovered orbiting a pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star. Astronomers Aleksander Wolszczan and Dale Frail found two planets orbiting the pulsar PSR B1257+12.
• First Exoplanet Around a Sun-like Star (1995): Swiss astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz made the groundbreaking discovery of the first confirmed exoplanet around a sun-like star, 51 Pegasi b, using the radial velocity or Doppler method.
• Rapid Expansion of Discoveries (Late 1990s – Early 2000s): The radial velocity method and the transit method (which detects exoplanets as they pass in front of their host stars) led to the discovery of many more exoplanets. Notable missions included the Keck Observatory in Hawaii and the Hubble Space Telescope .
• Kepler Mission (2009-2018): NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope, launched in 2009, revolutionized exoplanet science. It used the transit method to discover thousands of exoplanet candidates and confirmed the existence of numerous exoplanets, including Earth-sized and potentially habitable ones.
• TESS Mission (Launched in 2018): The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) was launched to discover exoplanets around the brightest stars in the sky. It continues to search for exoplanets using the transit method.
• Direct Imaging and Other Methods: Advancements in technology have enabled astronomers to directly image some exoplanets, such as HR 8799 and Beta Pictoris b. Other methods, like microlensing and astrometry, have also contributed to the discovery of exoplanets.
• Ongoing and Future Missions: The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in 2021, is expected to make significant contributions to the study of exoplanets by characterizing their atmospheres and providing more detailed information about their properties.
• Future missions, like the European Space Agency’s PLATO (Planetary Transits and Oscillations of Stars) and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, will continue the search for exoplanets and the study of their atmospheres .
• The discovery of exoplanets has opened up new avenues for understanding the diversity of planetary systems and the potential for life beyond our Solar System. 

METHODS TO CAPTURE EXOPLANETS

• Radial Velocity (Doppler Method): In 1995, Swiss astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz made the groundbreaking discovery of 51 Pegasi b, the first confirmed exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star. 
• They used the radial velocity method, which detects exoplanets by measuring the wobble or Doppler shift in a star’s spectral lines caused by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet.
• Transit Method: The transit method involves observing a star’s brightness over time and looking for periodic dips caused by a planet passing in front of the star (transiting). This method was used to discover HD 209458 b in 1999 and has since become one of the most successful techniques for finding exoplanets.
• Microlensing: Microlensing occurs when the gravitational field of a massive object (such as a star or planet) magnifies the light of a background star. 
• If the massive object has a planet orbiting it, it can create additional microlensing effects, allowing astronomers to detect the presence of exoplanets. This method has been used to discover several exoplanets.
• Direct Imaging: Direct imaging involves taking pictures of exoplanets. This method is challenging because planets are much fainter than their host stars and are often overwhelmed by the star’s glare. 
• However, advanced instruments and techniques have allowed for the direct imaging of some exoplanets.
• Astrometry: Astrometry involves measuring the precise positions of stars over time. When a star has an exoplanet orbiting it, both the star and the exoplanet will move in response to each other’s gravitational forces. Astrometry can detect this motion, providing evidence of an exoplanet’s presence.

FEATURES OF EXOPLANETS

• Exoplanets, which are planets located outside our Solar System, display a range of characteristics due to their diverse nature and the various methods used to detect and study them. Here are some of the main features of exoplanets:
• Size and Mass: Exoplanets come in various sizes, ranging from smaller than Earth to many times the size of Jupiter , a gas giant. Their masses can also vary significantly.
• Rocky Planets: These are primarily composed of solid materials like rock and metal . They are similar in composition to Earth and include planets like Kepler-186f.
• Gas Giants: These are predominantly composed of hydrogen and helium, like Jupiter and Saturn .
• Ice Giants: These planets, such as Uranus and Neptune , contain a significant amount of water, ammonia, and methane in their atmospheres.
• Atmosphere: Exoplanets can have a range of atmospheres with varying compositions and properties. The study of exoplanet atmospheres helps scientists understand their potential habitability and chemical makeup.
• Temperature: Exoplanets’ temperatures can vary widely based on their distance from their host star, the type of star, and their atmosphere. Some exoplanets orbit very close to their stars and experience scorching temperatures, while others lie in the habitable zone, where conditions for liquid water may exist.
• Orbital Characteristics: Exoplanets can have a variety of orbital characteristics, including eccentric (elliptical) orbits or nearly circular orbits. The distance from their host star, known as the semimajor axis, plays a crucial role in determining their climate and potential habitability.
• Host Star Type: Exoplanets orbit stars of various types, including main-sequence stars (like our Sun), red dwarfs, white dwarfs, and even pulsars. The properties of the host star can influence the exoplanet’s environment and conditions.
• Habitability: The concept of habitability considers whether an exoplanet’s conditions might be suitable for life as we know it. Factors like temperature, the presence of liquid water, and a stable atmosphere are essential for assessing habitability.
• Exoplanet Systems: Some exoplanets are part of multi-planet systems with two or more planets orbiting the same star. These systems can provide insights into planetary formation and dynamics.
• Exoplanet Diversity: The discovery of exoplanets has revealed a remarkable diversity in planetary systems. There are hot Jupiters, super-Earths, mini-Neptunes, and Earth-like exoplanets, among others.
• Atmospheric Composition: Advanced telescopes and instruments can analyze the atmospheres of some exoplanets, providing insights into their chemical composition and the presence of molecules like water vapor, carbon dioxide , and methane.
• The study of exoplanets is an exciting and dynamic field, and each new discovery contributes to our understanding of planetary systems, planetary formation, and the potential for habitable worlds beyond our Solar System.

SOME KNOWN EXOPLANETS

• Thousands of exoplanets are discovered every year. Here are some known exoplanets, each with its unique characteristics:
• Kepler-186f: Kepler-186f is an Earth-sized exoplanet located about 500 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. It orbits its host star, Kepler-186, within the habitable zone, making it a potential candidate for liquid water and potentially habitable conditions.
• HD 209458 b (Osiris): This exoplanet, also known as Osiris , was one of the first exoplanets discovered using the transit method. It’s a hot Jupiter located about 150 light-years from Earth. Its atmosphere has been studied extensively, revealing the presence of water vapor.
• Proxima Centauri b: It is an exoplanet located in the habitable zone of the closest star to our Sun , Proxima Centauri, a part of the Alpha Centauri star system. It’s a rocky exoplanet and is a prime target in the search for potentially habitable worlds.
• Kepler-22b: It is a super-Earth exoplanet located about 600 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. It orbits within the habitable zone of its star and was one of the first exoplanets discovered by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope.
• TRAPPIST-1 System: It is a star system located 39.6 light-years from Earth. It gained significant attention due to the discovery of seven Earth-sized exoplanets orbiting the star. Some of these exoplanets lie within the habitable zone and have been studied for potential habitability.

Exoplanets Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Exoplanets across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Exoplanets. The discovery and study of exoplanets are a significant advancement in the field of astronomy, revolutionizing our understanding of planetary systems and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

• Exoplanets Facts
• Exoplanet Discovery
• Types of Exoplanets
• Giant Exoplanets
• Ageing Planets
• The New Earth
• They are Extreme!
• Strangely Beautiful
• The Hottest Planet
• Colorful Views
• Newest Discoveries

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an exoplanet.

An exoplanet, short for “extrasolar planet,” is a planet that orbits a star outside of our solar system. These planets are located in other star systems and are not part of our own sun’s family of celestial objects.

How do scientists detect exoplanets?

Scientists use various methods to detect exoplanets. The most common techniques include the transit method, which observes a dip in a star’s brightness as an exoplanet passes in front of it, and the radial velocity method, which detects the gravitational tug of an exoplanet on its host star. Other methods include direct imaging and microlensing.

What is the habitable zone or “Goldilocks zone” around a star?

The habitable zone, often referred to as the “Goldilocks zone,” is the region around a star where conditions are just right for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet. This is a key factor in the search for potentially habitable exoplanets, as liquid water is considered essential for life as we know it.

How many exoplanets have been discovered so far?

As of a update in January 2022, thousands of exoplanets have been confirmed, and many more are candidates awaiting confirmation. The number of known exoplanets continues to increase as scientists discover new ones using advanced telescopes and technology.

Can exoplanets support life?

Exoplanets within the habitable zone of their host stars have the potential to support life, but many factors come into play, such as the planet’s atmosphere, magnetic field, and the presence of water. So far, we have not found definitive evidence of extraterrestrial life on exoplanets, but the search for habitable exoplanets and signs of life continues to be a significant area of research in the field of astronomy.

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