Bell Work

1. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity Bell Work • A) If intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, how • many alien civilizations do you think there are in our • galaxy. Explain your answer. • A) If intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe, how • many alien civilizations do you think there are in our • galaxy. Explain your answer.

2. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Brainpop Video • Recently we watched the Brainpop video • about the possibility of extraterrestrial (alien) life. • Click on this link and log in: Brainpop website Now we will complete the accompanying Brainpop quiz

3. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Plan • A) Discuss the Drake equation • Use the Brainpop Drake equation feature • B) Discuss Fermi’s paradox • C) Discuss Area 51 • D) Discuss “The Face on Mars” • View video clip from "Mission To Mars" movie

4. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes Drake Equation Fact: There are at least 200 billions stars in our galaxy (probably more) Fact: There are approximately 80 billion galaxies in the universe (probably more) In 1960, S.E.T.I. scientist Frank Drake developed a famous equation about how to calculate the possible number of extraterrestrial civilizations.

5. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes The Equation states… The number of extraterrestrial civilizations with which communication might be possible can be determined by multiplying a number of relevant factors to include… • The annual average rate of star formation in our galaxy (10) • (multiplied by) The estimated fraction of those stars that have planets (0.5) • (multiplied by) The average number of those planets that can potentially support life (2) • (multiplied by) The fraction of potentially life supporting life planets that actually do develop life at some point (0.33)

6. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes The Equation states…(continued) • (multiplied by) The fraction of planets that actually develop intelligent life (0.01) • (multiplied by) The fraction of planets with intelligent life that develop technology that releases signals that we can detect (0.01) • (multiplied by) The length of time that it takes for the intelligent life to send out signals (10, 000 yrs) • So… 10 x 0.5 x 2 x 0.33 x 0.01 x 0.01 x 10000=10 possible extraterrestrial civilizations living in our galaxy right now • See Brainpop.com, type in "Drake Equation: Brainpop website-Drake Equation • See http://www.activemind.com/Mysterious/Topics/SETI/drake_equation.html

7. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes Fermi’s Paradox? Can best be stated as… Where Are They??? • Famous scientist, Enrico Fermi used Drake’s equation and computed that there was only one likely extraterrestrial civilization per galaxy. • Even traveling less than the speed of light, those extraterrestrials would be able to expand across the galaxy is in about 10 million years. Since the universe is estimated to be over 10 billion years old… Where Are They???

8. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes What is Area 51? • Area 51 is the name given by the C.I.A. to a part of Edwards Air Force Base located in a remote desert region of Nevada • Link: Independence Day-Area 51 Video Clip • Link: Mysterious Object-Area 51 • Since the 1960s this air base has been used to test Top Secret aircraft and other technology related to our national security

9. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes U2 Aircraft (used for spying)

10. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes SR-71 Blackbird Aircraft (used for spying)

11. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes F-117 Stealth Fighter

12. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes Project Aurora? (Top Secret Aircraft?) Link: Project Aurora Video Clip

13. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes So what is the big deal about Area 51? • In 1947 a “mysterious” object crashed in the desert near Roswell, New Mexico. • The object was actually a top secret radiation detector attached to a high altitude balloon called project Mogul • The Air Force provided a fake cover story about the object saying that it was crashed “flying disk” • Some people believe that is was actually an alien spacecraft that was later sent to Area 51 for testing

14. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes What is the Face on Mars? • In 1976 the Viking-One spacecraft took pictures of the Martian surface as it orbited the planet • One famous photo seemed to show a huge monument in the shape of a human face • Some people claimed that this was proof that a intelligent species once lives on Mars • In reality, the image was just an illusion caused by rocks, shadows, and low quality photography

15. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes 1976 Picture of the Face on Mars

16. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes 2001 Picture of the Face on Mars

17. SPIs 0807.5.1 to 5.4 Classification, Adaptations. Variations, and Biodiversity  Notes Does intelligent life (aliens) exist elsewhere in the universe? If yes, what would they be like? • Get into groups and come up with 2 to 3 ideas about what intelligent aliens might actually be like if they exist. (see two examples below) • Examples: What they might look like • Examples: What kind of technology might they have?