Final, December 10, 2014<br>
Astronomy 123</br>
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<a href="astr123_sample.pdf">Sample Questions (exam)</a>
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Life in the Universe: Drake Equation & Fermi Paradox 
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<ul>
<li>What is the Drake Equation? What are the different factors contained
in the Drake Equation? Which are <i>astronomical</i>? Which are <i>biological
</i>? What are <i>sociological</i>? Are there factors which are blends of
the preceding classifications?  How well-determined is the solution to the 
Drake Equation? 
<li>Describe the parts of the Drake Equation that can be determined from 
astrophysical observation. How are these factors determined and what are their
values?
What is likely to be the most well-determined term in the 
Drake Equation? 
<li>What is the <i>Habitable Zone</i>? What determines the size
of the <i>Habitable Zone</i>?  How many planets in our Solar System are in 
the Habitable Zone? Which planets are in the Habitable Zone?
Describe the differences between Venus, Earth, and Mars in the context of
Habitable Zone? What caused Venus, Earth, and Mars to evolve so differently?
<li>Roughly how many extra-Solar planets have been 
discovered since 1995? What are the methods used to find extra-Solar planets?
Describe the two methods brought up in class. Which method has been used to
discover the most extra-Solar planets?
<li>How many extraterrestrial civilizations are there in our Galaxy based on 
the Drake Equation? give your assumptions (assumed values for the individual 
terms)? Why are the results so uncertain? What is the Kepler satelllite? 
Has Kepler discovered any planets in the Habitable Zone?
<li>Describe the Arecibo message to M13? 
How was it sent and
how was it to be interpreted? What are the problems
in formulating our attempts to communicate with extraterrestrials? Do we want
to communicate with extraterrestrials? Do you think the Voyager plaques (and
the earlier Pioneer plaques) are useful? Why or why not.
<li>Venus, Earth, and Mars were likely quite similar at birth and yet, 
today, they have grossly different atmospheres and surface conditions. 
Briefly sketch the atmospheric evolution of the Earth and then point out why Venus, Earth, and Mars turned out so differently.
<li>What evidence is that there Mars once had a much more lush environment
in the past than today (that is, what is the evidence for water on Mars?
<li> Describe the Greenhouse Effect.
<li> What is the Faint Young Sun Problem? What is the likely solution to 
the Faint Young Sun Problem? What is meant by equilibrium temperature?
<li> What is the water trap?
<li> Describe the Viking biology experiments. Describe the outcome of the
Viking biology experiments. What is the current take on the results of the
Viking life experiments? How did the idea of LAWKI influence the design of
the Viking experiments?
<li> Describe ALH84001. Describe the outcome of the
study of ALH84001. What is the current take on the results of the
study of ALH84001?
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