why do we spend millions of dollars to explore the solar system?

Why do we spend millions of dollars to explore the solar system?

Solar System Exploration

• Why do we spend millions of dollars?

• What is there to gain from exploring?

• What life is out there?• What can we learn

from exploring our solar system?

Solar System

By

Austin Brown

Planets

• How many planets are there?

• How many of these planets can sustain life?

• How many of these planets have moons?

• How many of the planets have a ring?

Planets• Mercury • Venus• Earth • Mars

• Jupiter• Saturn • Uranus• Neptune

About the PlanetsMoons

• All planets except for Mercury and Venus have at least one moon

• Saturn has the greatest number of moons with 18 and 4 more likely

• All moons have a name and earth’s moon is called Luna

More about the planets

• Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn all have rings around them

• Saturn’s ring is the most magnificent because of its bright colors and size.

(can be seen from earth)

Our Solar System

• Links to websites:• www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets• www.nasa.com• www.spacecoalition.com

What do we gain from space exploration?

For over 40 years we have explored space and brought back many things that have enhanced our lives.

• Water filtration systems• Ultra small electronic circuits that

enhance medical advances• Plastic like metals used in jewelry

and sporting goods

What do we gain from space exploration?

• Aviation safety systems used for pilots

• Intelligent ovens that allow you to begin cooking dinner before you arrive home

• LASIK surgery • Mammogram

Interpretation• Sunshields• Many other things

What is there to gain from exploring?

• Space exploration is an engine for creation• Creates high tech jobs• Creates high paying jobs• It adds resources to our planet we once did not

have• Search for supplements to life here on earth

Is there life on other planets?

• Polar ice caps have been discovered on Mars

• Length of the day on Mars is almost identical to earth

• Mars’ axial tilt is similar to earth

Mariner 4

• A probe sent to Mars that returned the first pictures

• Photos showed no rivers, oceans or any signs of life

• Discovered the atmospheric pressure was to great for life on Mars

• Started a search for bacteria on Mars instead of multi-cell organisms

Viking Orbiter• Sent to Mars to search for water• Found evidence of possible river• Detect microorganisms in the soil• Detected a higher level of carbon• However no organic molecules were found

What can we learn from exploring our solar system?

• Learn if there is other life out there

• Learn if other beings exist in other galaxies

• Learn more about global warming

• Learn more about environmental changes

• Learn more about climate changes

Why we spend millions of dollars to explore the solar system.

• Technological advances

• Medical advances• Inspiration of students

to learn• Resources for earth• Discovery• To beat the Russians

to the moon during the Cold War

Is it worth the millions spent?

• Medical advantages that may save lives

• Resources that make life easier for us

• Motivation of students to learn especially in science and math

• Discovery