IST 2 - Thinking About Life in the Universe uses the Drake Equation as a roadmap for exploring concepts that relate to astrobiology and the search for life. Each of the sections below will provide links to information that relates to a factor in Drake's Equation.
General Resources
Understanding By Design Lesson Plan Format (PDF, Word)
Astrobiology in Your Classroom - Life on Earth...and Elsewhere (NASA Astrobiology Institute Educators' Guide, PDF)
Astrobiology Magazine (NASA-sponsored online magazine)
Drake Equation
NOVA - Online Drake Equation
Drake Equation w/ follow up questions (from the University of Montana)
Stars & Galaxies (R or N*)
"Stars, Galaxies and the Structure of the Universe" (Jeff's PowerPoint. PDF file, not annotated)
Imagine the Universe: The Life Cycle of Stars (link to NASA Teacher's Guide to Stellar Evolution w/ classroom activities, PDF)
Interactive H-R Diagram
Jeff's H-R Diagram Graphics/Tutorial (PDF file)
Solar Systems (Fp)
Distance Scale Model of Our Solar System (pdf file)
Size Scale Model of the Solar System An excellent resource from the Exploratorium
Our Solar System circa 2009 (jpeg picture file)
"Solar System Formation & Extrasolar Systems" (Jeff's Powerpoint, pdf file, not annotated)
Habitability (Ne)
"Earth as a Habitable Planet" (Jeff's Powerpoint, pdf file, not annotated)
Is This Place Habitable? (Consider the potential for habitability on Titan, Triton, Mars, Europa and Io)
"Life's Little Essential" by Peter Tyson. Everybody knows that liquid water is necessary for life, at least as we know it. But just why exactly?
"Aliens Depend on Time to Grow Brains", by Leslie Mullen (PDF)
"The Evolution of Intelligence: An Integral Part of SETI and Astrobiology" by Lori Marino
Lecture Notes on the Evolution of Intelligence from the University of Oregon
Longevity (L)
"Are We the Galaxy's Youngest Residents?" by Seth Shostak, SETI Institute