COSMOS Episode 11: The Immortals Worksheet (2014)

Description

COSMOS Episode 11: The Immortals (2014) examines the tenacity of life, the possibility that the seeds of life can spread from planet to planet or between solar systems, and the likelihood that we might one-day be able to communicate with an advanced form of alien life. The episode arcs through the full gamut of possibilities and limitations for life to sustain itself, spread to other worlds, and survive the dangers of deep-space travel. Neil DeGrasse Tyson describes the panspermia theory and gives a scenario wherein galaxies could be viewed as “world-making machines,” laying out the necessary foundations for life to arise as the galaxy goes through its own galactic evolution over the course of billions of years.

In this episode, Tyson discusses the theory of panspermia, interplanetary and interstellar travel of microbes on comets or asteroids, microbe exposure to radiation, extremophiles, the durability of the genetic code (DNA), interstellar radio communication, the likelihood of a civilization lasting long enough to develop advanced technology, ethics and scientific advancement, and finally, emotional responses vs rational thought.

This episode is appropriate for the following classes: biology, physics, astronomy, physical science, sociology, or general science.

The runtime is 44 minutes. The video guide is designed to last an entire class, with some time left over to answer questions or facilitate a classroom discussion.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson, theory of panspermia, interplanetary and interstellar travel of microbes on comets or asteroids, microbe exposure to radiation, extremophiles, durability of the genetic code (DNA), interstellar radio communication, likelihood of a civilization lasting long enough to develop advanced technology, ethics and scientific advancement, emotional responses vs rational thought