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Why finding new Earth-like planets is important

Seven years ago, no one - even an astronomer - could tell you whether any planets that might be like Earth existed.\n \nNew Planets, Old Questions (Text 3) -- This text is part of a Knowledge Set exploring newly discovered planets and questions whether life can exist outside Earth. This article discusses how these discoveries are helping astronomers expand their understanding of the universe. This article also builds background knowledge about what planetary features are needed to support life or make a planet habitable for humans. Students can evaluate the evidence presented regarding how finding new Earth-like planets can impact future space exploration.\n <b

Lucianne Walkowicz

Al Jazeera

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

How is the TRAPPIST-1 discovery is helping scientists expand their view of the universe?

STANDARDS:

RI.1 - Meaning & Evidence, RI.2 - Main Ideas, RI.4 - Key Terms & Tone, RI.8 - Evaluate Argument

DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE (DOK) LEVELS:

1,2,3,4

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