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Task 3: Calculate Habitable Zone for Kepler 62

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

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 an artist's concept of K62f credited to NASA reading Is Kepler 452b within its host star's habitable zone?
This is the equation for calculating the inner limit of a star’s habitable zone:
 
the inner edge of the habitable zone equals 0.75 multiplied by the square root of the luminosity of the host star.
image of the inner habitable zone. Shows the rings around different planets in the solar system. The range closer to the sun is too warm and the range far from the sun is too cool but the middle range, closer to the sun is the inner habitable zone.
 
Using the Host Star Data Table, input the luminosity of Kepler 62 in cell B2 of the Google Sheet.
The Google Sheet will calculate the inner limit of the star’s habitable zone automatically for you in cell B3 in units of AU.
This is the equation for calculating the outer limit of a star’s habitable zone:
 
the outer edge of the habitable zone equals 1.77 multiplied by the square root of the luminsoty of the host star.
image of the outer habitable zone. Shows the rings around different planets in the solar system. The range closer to the sun is too warm and the range far from the sun is too cool but the middle range, closer to the sun is the outer habitable zone
 
The Google Sheet will calculate the outer limit of the star’s habitable zone automatically for you in cell B4 in units of AU.

What are AU

Image shows the sun and earth with arrow between them with a caption that says Astronimical Units, AU. The distance between the Earth and the sun.

You will share the habitable zone limits with the following team:

If the Period team has already requested the habitable zone limits, send it in the chat now. If the Period team has not yet sent a request, be prepared to send the information when the request arrives.

The Period team needs your data on the inner and outer limits of Kepler 62’s habitable zone in order to figure out if the planet lies within its star’s habitable zone. If you have already received a request from the Period team asking for the inner and outer limits of the habitable zone, send the following message in the chat. Click here for instructions on how to send messages.
“Host Star team to Period team. The inner limit of the star’s habitable zone is _____ AU (Astronomical Units). The outer limit of the star’s habitable zone is _____ AU (Astronomical Units).” (Fill in the blanks with your solutions for the inner and outer limits of the star’s habitable zone from cells B3 and B4 of the Google Sheet.)
If you have not yet received a message from the Period team requesting the inner and outer limits of Kepler 62’s habitable zone, wait here until you have received the message and then return to the instructions above.

While you wait...

While you wait for a request from the Period team, it may be helpful for you to understand how the Period team got their data. Their observations were based on the star’s light curve. Watch the following video to understand how light curves work. If you have already received a request from the Period team, you may skip this section and continue working through the task card:

Understanding the Light Curve
Please answer the following questions about light curves based on the video.

The Period team will use the habitable zone range you calculated to determine if the exoplanet Kepler 62f is within its star’s habitable zone. Please wait for a message from the Period team.

You will receive a message from the Period team asking for your confirmation. Check the value for the distance from the exoplanet to its host star. Does it fall within the habitable zone range that you calculated?

If you AGREE with the period team’s calculation...

If you AGREE with the Period team’s calculation, send the following message to the Period team. Then, unmute yourself and read the message out loud to ensure it is received by the Period team.

“Host Star team to Period team. Calculation confirmed. The exoplanet IS / IS NOT within the habitable zone of its star.”


Select whether or not the exoplanet is within its star’s habitable zone based on the message you received from the Period team.

If you DisAGREE with the period team’s calculation...

If you DISAGREE with the Period team’s calculation, unmute yourself and work with the Period team to figure out the 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?
Congratulations! Your hard work has revealed critical information about your exoplanet’s host star! 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.