Ruiz 1

TASK ONE:
Both Rannoch and Giant’s Deep are a lot closer to the sun (Drasti) compared to icy moon
counterpart Hoth. Rannoch’s density is 5 g/cm^3, meaning that it is most likely made of rock and
iron. While Hoth is most likely composed entirely of ice, perhaps with some rock as well.
Giant’s Deep is also rock and iron. Both Giant’s Deep and Rannoch are a lot closer to the Drasti
than Hoth. While both Giant’s Deep and Rannoch are within the habitable zone, one is much
closer to Drasti (that being Rannoch), meaning that it is much hotter and as time pass, less likely
to be habitable. However, Giant’s Deep is in the outer boundary with strong greenhouse
warming, as time passes by, it shifts from the outer with strong greenhouse gasses to the outer
with weak warming.
The surfaces of Hoth and Rannoch are cratered, Rannoch more heavily than Hoth’s
surface. Due to the Giant's Deep thick atmosphere, it is impossible to do any observation of the
surface. It also looks like Hoths has cracks along the surface that could indicate that there was
once tectonic plates. However, this can not be known for sure as Hoth is an icy moon orbiting
Bespin which orbits Drasti which is more than 6.7 AU’s away. This is much further out than the
other two planets, making it non-habitable and more likely that there is less inner radioactive
decay.
Rannoch on the other hand has what appears to be a volcano, at least from one of the few
images captured by the flyby. This could indicate, and due to its closeness to Drasti, that there is
still radioactive decay occurring, at least enough for volcanoes to form. Which indicates that
convection could be occurring and that there is a possibility for tectonic plates. Or it could also
be a hot mantel spot. There also appears to be a deep trench, as well as a big crater that is much
deeper than the other images captured. These places could potentially be hiding evidence of
ancient water. Unlike the other two planets that are either far too cold or environmentally
different, it makes it difficult to have water (in liquid form.) But it is also unknown why
Rannoch’s surface is so diverse, one can only speculate from past knowledge and similar traits.
TASK TWO:
Rannoch should be the planetary body that should be further investigated for evidence of
life. Not only is it in a good place within the habitable zone, but the surface is diverse. Which is
 Ruiz 2

key to researching planetary bodies as it shows and reveals more history compared to planetary
bodies that are not as diverse. Craters litter the surface, meaning that Rannoch is old. There are
both high and low altitudes. Low altitudes that are deep, such as the dark purple image and the
trench blue image, are good places to find preserved biosignatures if there are any. It would also
be scientifically easier to explore as it would be easier to land a rover or have an orbiter. Hoth is
too far from the sun and there is not much of a diverse surface. Nothing that could indicate that
there are preserved biosignatures, especially since it is an icy moon. The surface could be icy that
is too thick, proving difficult to prove if there even is anything underneath. Giant’s deep
atmosphere is thick, which would make flybys and orbiters hard to use in the same way they
were used to observe Rannoch’s surface. Additionally, it would prove extremely difficult to land
a rover or lander on Giant’s deep surface since one can not see.
Additionally, the reflectance mineral graph shows that there is presence of minerals that
can only exist in the presence of water, like hematite. Which can be found on Rannoch. This
indicates that at some point, Rannoach had water. Potentially leading to finding biosignatures in
the area where hematite can be found.
TASK THREE:
In order to discover if Pannoch has evidence of life, has preserved biosignatures, or is currently
habitable, a rover must be used for this mission. This rover will collect samples in areas of the
planet that could potentially have preserved biosignatures or evidence of ancient water. But, this
rover will also help understand the surface of the planetary body further. I would like to
understand the minerals that are only present when there is water, located and why it was found
in that location. However, the major objective is to understand why Rannoch’s surface is so
diverse and if possible collect data from the varying surfaces. Which in turn will lead discoveries
related to life. This will also require pictures to be taken by the rover so that they can be
compared to other photos of other planetary bodies that are known, both within our solar system
and out.
 Ruiz 3

TASK FOUR:

(Interpretation of Rannoch)
“I saw on the news that they’re sending a rover to that one planet.” A kid announces from their
phone, looking over to their friend.
“What rover?” Their friend asks, also on their phone.
“Oddity.”
“That’s a weird name.”
“Not really, I mean they choose a weird far away planet to land it on, so I guess it fits.” The first
kid shrugs and shows their friend their phone, they look over. It was one of the first pictures of
the planet that NASA got 4 years ago.
“It reminds me of Mars.” The first kid nods in agreement.
“Do you think they’ll find water?” The first kids asks their friend.
“I dunno, but it would be cool.” The second kid said absentmindedly.
“Yeah…Oh! What if they find aliens?” The first kid says excitedly, already imagining what
extraterrestrial life from lightyears away might look like.
“Come on, if it’s like Mars, the best that’s happening is rocks and frozen water.” The second kid
says.
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“That’s true but can’t you have hope? I think it would be cool if the aliens were like dogs that
could talk.”
“Yeah, but they announced it like any other space mission, so it can’t be that exciting.” The
second kid grumbles, they scroll through their social media. It was cool, they just didn’t want to
admit it. It was the first mission to look for life outside their own solar system, it was a bit scary.
“Whatever, party popper. I just hope that this time, when the rover hits its birthday, it’ll get its
happy birthday messages.”
“Yeah, it’ll sing itself happy birthday like Curiosity did.”
“Actually, no. They updated this rover, once it lands, we will get live footage. Since many
countries agreed to this, anyone can access footage! I think they’ll be live streaming the first 24
hours once it lands!” The first kid rambled, this caught the second kid's attention.
“Wait, we’ll be able to see what it sees, life?”
“Yes, pay attention. I think they also added a feature where if there are enough requests then-”
But the second kid stopped paying attention to them and looked up at the sky. To think that they
will be able to be in communication with something so far away is cool.
“I just hope we can sing happy birthday with Oddity.” The second kid suddenly announces.
“Yeah… Me too.” The first kid replies.