Using Spectroscopy to Find Life on Other Planets

Lesson Summary

This lesson helps students understand how using both a wave model and particle model of electromagnetic radiation can be used to collect and interpret the transmission spectra of a planet’s atmosphere. 

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

• use the EM spectrum and a mathematical model to relate wavelength, frequency, energy and color.
• describe how astronomers use both the wave and particle nature of light to make observations of exoplanet atmosphere.
• describe the relationship between the absorption of specific wavelengths of light by a planet’s atmosphere and what types of molecules are in the planet’s atmosphere. 

Standards

Science and Engineering Practices:

MA Science and Technology/Engineering (2016):

NGSS (2013):

Common Core Math/Language Arts Standards:

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