12 of 80 results for "habitability"
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Discovering a Habitable Planet
In Discovering a Habitable Planet, Professor Stephane Udry and his team use the most powerful planet detection instrument in the world, located deep in the desert of Chile. By observing distant stars and detecting subtle wobbles caused by the gravitational pull of orbiting planets, they discovered Gliese 581c, a potentially habitable planet similar in some ways to Earth.
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Studying the 581 Planetary System
In Studying the 581 Planetary System, researchers explore the potential habitability of the planets in the Gliese 581 system. Gliese 581c is considered too hot to support life due to a runaway greenhouse effect, but Gliese 581d may have a chance. Its distance from the star and the potential for a warming greenhouse effect give it the possibility of sustaining life. Learn about the factors that make a planet habitable, such as atmosphere, temperature, and distance from its star.
Lesson Plan
How Do People Impact the Oceans?
In this lesson, you’ll help your students explore the impact humans have on the world’s oceans. Start things off with a fun game of Three Truths and a Lie about the ocean to get your class thinking about this incredible biome. Then, guide your students through two engaging videos that highlight the connection between ocean animals and human activities. Wrap up the lesson with a creative activity where your students design ocean conservation posters to show how we can all work together to keep our oceans clean.
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Tied to a Star: The Fate of Mars
In Tied to a Star: The Fate of Mars, Professor Brian Cox explains how Mars went from being full of water to a barren desert. Learn why the Sun is so important for the planets that orbit it, including Mars and Earth. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
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Extreme Environments: Searching for Habitable Worlds

In Extreme Environments: Searching for Habitable Worlds, astrobiologist Louisa Preston explores how life in extreme environments on Earth can provide clues for finding life on Mars. Scientists believe that if life can survive in Earth’s harshest conditions, similar life could exist on Mars. This exploration not only advances our search for life on Mars but also helps us better understand the origins of life on Earth and may lead to future innovations in space exploration.

Student Article
Why Dogs Eat Grass (and Sometimes Poop): Strange but True!
The article "Why Dogs Eat Grass (and Sometimes Poop): Strange but True!" from BBC Science Focus explores the curious reasons behind dogs eating grass and poop. While some theories suggest anxiety, boredom, or a need for attention, others link it to diet or instinct. Canine behavior expert Dr. Emily Blackwell sheds light on these habits and how our reactions may unintentionally encourage them.
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How Rare Is Our Planet: Earth’s Uniqueness in the Universe

In How Rare Is Our Planet: Earth’s Uniqueness in the Universe, Dr. Lynn Rothschild explains the delicate balance that makes Earth unique. She focuses on the habitable zone — the perfect distance from the Sun that allows liquid water to exist allowing life to thrive. This exact positioning results in a tiny wobble in the star, which makes it extremely challenging to find another planet with conditions similar to Earth’s.

Student Article
Iron-Coated Teeth: The Secret of Komodo Dragons
The article "Iron-Coated Teeth: The Secret of Komodo Dragons" from Discover Wildlife reveals that Komodo dragons have iron-coated serrated teeth, allowing them to efficiently rip through prey. The discovery sheds light on the hunting techniques of these giant lizards and may even offer clues about the feeding habits of ancient predators like the T. rex.
Student Article
Komodo Dragons: Nature’s Giant Venomous Predators
The article "Komodo Dragons: Nature’s Giant Venomous Predators" from BBC's Discover Wildlife delves into the biology and ecology of the world's largest lizard. It covers their impressive size, unique venomous bite, dietary habits, reproductive strategies, and the threats leading to their endangered status, including habitat loss and climate change.
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Exploring a New Planet and Its Atmosphere: Unveiling the Mysteries of Alien Worlds
In Exploring a New Planet and Its Atmosphere: Unveiling the Mysteries of Alien Worlds, Dr. Lynn Rothschild ventures into the Atacama Desert to explore the environmental conditions of Gliese 581c, the smallest and most Earth-like exoplanet detected so far. Despite some similarities to Earth, this exoplanet is much closer to its star, which leads to significant differences in its conditions. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary that explores the fascinating geology on planet Earth.
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The Key to Finding Life on Other Worlds
In The Key to Finding Life on Other Worlds, Dr. Sean Raymond uses computer simulations to search for the potential of water — and, therefore, life — on other planets. These simulations show how planetary systems evolve over millions of years, often resulting in planets in the habitable zone with water. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the conditions for extraterrestrial life but also highlights the possibility of finding Earth-like planets in distant star systems.
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Ancient Oaks: Amazing Habitats

In Ancient Oaks: Amazing Habitats, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers find an oak tree. Join them as they learn about this amazing, 400-year-old oak tree and how it provides a home for lots of animals! This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.