Planetary Habitation and Detection

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The theoretical equilibrium temperature of a planet as a function of distance from the Sun.The theoretical equilibrium temperature of a planet as a function of distance from the Sun.

In the first of these two multipart questions, students will apply their understanding of stellar luminosity and planetary equilibrium to estimate and interpret the theoretical "habitable zone" in our solar system. In the second question, students will use a simulation of Doppler spectroscopy to understand how detecting "wobble" is used to estimate a star's mass and orbital period. This assignment also gives students a chance to read and interpret a graph with a logarithmic scale and to consider the utility of simulations in science.

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