KS3 starter © Snapshot Science, 2010Snapshot Science Astronomers have discovered a Solar System that is similar to ours. Could aliens live on one of the planets? What conditions need to exist for life? Image credit: ESO/L Calçado

KS3 activity © Snapshot Science, 2010Snapshot Science Scientists believe that for life to exist on a planet, it must be at the right temperature for water to exist as a liquid. Not too hot, and not too cold. This area is called the ‘Goldilocks Zone’ Image credit: darkpatator

KS3 activity © Snapshot Science, 2010Snapshot Science The 7 planets in this Solar System orbit a star called HD Here is how it compares to our star. The SunHD10180 Mass: x Earth Surface temperature: 5505°C Mass: x Earth Surface temperature: 5638°C

Here is some data about our own Solar System and the newly discovered one. Use it, and the information about the two stars, to comment on how likely it is that life exists on one of the planets. Give reasons for your answer. KS3 activity © Snapshot Science, 2010Snapshot Science Planet Diameter (km) Distance to Sun (million km) Time for 1 orbit (planet's 'year') Average temperature ( 0 C) Mass (ratio to Earth) Composition Mercury days Rock Venus days Rock Earth / 4 days201Rock Mars years Rock Jupiter years Gas Saturn years Gas Uranus years Gas Neptune years Gas Planet Distance to HD10180 (million km) Mass (ratio to Earth) Planet A31.4 Planet B9between 12 and 25 Planet C19between 12 and 25 Planet D40between 12 and 25 Planet E73between 12 and 25 Planet F212between 12 and 25 Planet G50965