Top
habitable zone icon. Green background with an image of a lake with waves.

Task 3: Is your Planet in the Habitable Zone?

image of a scientist
Whether or not your planet is in the habitable zone is critical for forming a request for observation by the James Webb Space Telescope. Planets in the habitable zone can potentially support life.
To see examples of how the habitable zone changes for different star types, complete the following lab activity:

Habitable Zone Lab

To view light intensity simulation in a different web browser tab, click here.
image of a scientist

This simulation is an opportunity to learn more about the larger concept of the habitable zone. Don’t worry about trying to read specific numbers on the simulation as they are not directly related to your exoplanet data.

image of K452 b artist concept credited to NASA with text reading: Is Kepler 452b within its host star's habitable zone?
image of a scientist
Your hard work to determine the distance of the exoplanet to the star is key to finishing this task.
First, you will need to request the Host Star team’s data on the habitable zone range for Kepler 452. Send the following message in the chat. Click here for instructions on how to send messages.

“Period team to Host Star team. The Period team requests the inner and outer limits of the host star’s habitable zone in order to proceed.”

Once you receive the message, send the following confirmation to the Host Star team.

“Period team to Host Star team. Data received. Thank you.”

Input the value for the inner edge of the habitable zone in cell B3 of the Google Sheet. Next, input the value for the outer edge of the habitable zone in cell B4 of the Google Sheet. Check if your value for ‘a,’ or the distance of your exoplanet from the host star (cell B2) falls within the habitable zone range.
inner habitable zone icon. Yellow background color. Image of water with steam and boiling water.
outer habitable zone icon. Purple background with an in image of a frozen lake and snow.

If the distance from your exoplanet to the host star falls WITHIN the habitable zone range...

If the distance from your exoplanet to the host star falls WITHIN the habitable zone range, send the following message to the Host Star team. Click here for instructions on how to send messages.

“Period team to Host Star team. The habitable zone range data has been received. The distance from the exoplanet to its host star is ____. The exoplanet IS in the habitable zone. Please confirm.” (Input your value for ‘a,’ the distance from your exoplanet to its host star, in the blank.)

If the Host Star Team disagrees with your calculation, unmute yourself and work with the Host Star team to figure out a solution. Call the Flight Director if you need assistance.

* how to ask for help

If the distance from your exoplanet to the host star falls OUTSIDE the habitable zone range...

If the distance from your exoplanet to the host star falls OUTSIDE the habitable zone range, send the following message to the Host Star team. Click here for instructions on how to send messages.

“Period team to Host Star team. The habitable zone range data has been received. The distance from the exoplanet to its host star is ____. The exoplanet is NOT in the habitable zone. Please confirm.” (Input your value for ‘a,’ the distance from your exoplanet to its host star, in the blank.)

Wait for a confirmation message from the Host Star team.

If the Host Star team disagrees with your calculation, unmute yourself and work with the Host Star team to figure out a solution. Call the Flight Director if you need assistance.

* how to ask for help

Planet Mass Planet Radius Planet Period Host Star Data Planet Volume Star Radius & Mass Planet Density Distance From Star Planet Composition In The Habitable Zone? Could This Planet Support Life?
image of a scientist with confetti in the background
Congratulations, your hard work has revealed critical information about your exoplanet! Only one final task remains. It is now time to work together with all other members of your team to craft a creative and compelling request for your exoplanet to be studied by the James Webb Space Telescope.