Question 1:

For an exoplanet to be habitable and capable of sustaining life many conditions are needed.
However only certain key factors and calculations can be considered by scientists as our
observations are limited due to distance.

The star itself must be considered. The stability of a star is crucial as a star prone to violent solar
activities can wipe out life and render an exo-planet unhabitable (NASA, 2022). Additionally, a long-
lived and mature star will be required, as a habitable exoplanet with life takes time to settle down
and develop. The presence of other celestial objects within the solar system also needs to be
considered as depending on its nature, can cause extreme changes to the exoplanet (Forbes, 2017).

Next would be the exoplanet’s orbit. The exoplanet’s distance from the sun must be within the
“Goldilocks Zone” where it isn’t too hot or too cold (Jungblut & Kenrick, 2021). Another factor would
be the mass and size of the exoplanet, as gravity allows an exoplanet to retain its atmosphere
(Ashish, 2022).

The presence of an atmosphere is crucial as not only is it a requirement for life, but the molecular
composition of the atmosphere and surface can be measured from a distance. Oxygen, carbon
dioxide, water and methane are strong indicators of life (NASA, 2022).

Overall, through limited observations and calculations scientists can identify possible habitable
exoplanets with life but have no reliable means of confirming such.

Question 2:

The difference between directly detected planets inside and outside of solar system differ in terms
of details and clarity. This is caused by the immense distances between stars and the effect where
details of non-local planets are drowned out by its parent star (Jakosky, 2002), making surface
characteristics like continents unclear for non-local planets. Additionally, as due to the speed of light
information and images of distant stars are delayed and do not reflect its present state but its past.

The direct imaging of exoplanets involves the detection of light emitted or scattered by the
exoplanet itself. For local exoplanets this can be achieved with a naked eye at times but for non-local
exoplanets machinery is needed. As light from distant exoplanets are very little compared to stars
and hence drowned out by its parent star. Additionally, to avoid having light being dispersed and
absorbed by our atmosphere, images need to be taken from space to avoid this interference like the
Hubble Telescope.

Proposed space missions that contribute to the detection of distant planets would be the ATHROS
mission occurring on December 1st, 2023. This mission features an antenna that collects infrared
wavelengths attached to a high-altitude. This mission will last for 21 to 28 days and will focus on TW
Hydrae, a young star in the process of forming exoplanets. (NASA, 2022). This will involve the use of
through high-spectral resolution spectrometry on the gas and dust clouds of the forming exoplanets.
This mission will yield useful information in regards exoplanets that can be used for future activities.
References:

Ashish. (2022). What Makes A Planet Habitable? Retrieved 8 23, 2022, from
https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/what-makes-a-planet-habitable.html#:~:text=Some
%20factors%20that%20make%20a,the%20presence%20of%20liquid%20water.

Forbes. (2017). What Would Make An Exoplanet Capable Of Supporting Life? Retrieved 9 23, 2022,
from https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/07/25/what-would-make-an-exoplanet-
capable-of-supporting-life/?sh=52d1f1871149

Jakosky, B. (2002). The Search of Life on Other Planets. Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.

Jungblut, A., & Kenrick, P. (2021). Eight ingredients for life in space. Retrieved 9 23, 2022, from
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/eight-ingredients-life-in-space.html

NASA. (2022, 9 25). ASTHROS. Retrieved from NASA: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/asthros

NASA. (2022). The Search For Life. Retrieved 9 23, 2022, from https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/search-
for-life/can-we-find-life/