Lost in space!

Introduction

Help! 

We at NASA command have received a message from space!  It seems like Astronaut Shelley is in some kind of trouble.  She left Earth several months ago in an experimental new spacecraft for a top-secret mission, destination unknown.  Her tracking programs appear to be offline, so all we have to go on is the information in this transmission:

"Hello, this is Astronaut Shelley requesting assistance! My navigation system was the first thing to go, and it seems I have gotten a little lost. I am in orbit around a planet that I am unfamiliar with. Let me have a look around.... This planet seems to have many moons. It has an extremely active climate (I can see at least two giant storms from here!) and it rotates very very quickly. I think I saw some faint rings while I was approaching, but I am not too sure. I have plenty of supplies, and all of my life support systems are functioning fine, but I will need to be rescued as quickly as possible so that I can get back to my very important mission!"

http://imgur.com/og6K5Ag

 

Task

You will work together in your team to figure out what planet Astronaut Shelley is stranded on.  You will write a paragraph explaining your results.

Once you've identified the correct planet and sent a rescue team, Astronaut Shelley will have one more favour to ask:

"Ok, so this mission is highly classified, but it just can't wait until I'm back up and running.  My division at NASA has been contacted by... ALIENS FROM ANOTHER GALAXY!  They're planning a visit, and they will make it worth our while if we can help them to choose a suitable planet to vacation on.  They have extremely advanced technology and are highly adaptable, so they could survive on any of the planets in our solar system.  But which would they prefer?  I've been researching for a series of travel commercials to introduce them to the planets our solar system has to offer.  Could you help me to finish them?"

Research one of the remaining planets, and create a travel commercial to describe this planet and highlight its features and characteristics to Astronaut Shelley's extraterrestrial friends. 

Process

Here is what you need to do:

1. Find out which planet Astronaut Shelley is on.  Use these links to help you:

2. Write a paragraph explaining which planet Astronaut Shelley is on. This will include...

  • What planet is Astronaut Shelley on?
  • What makes you think that this is the correct planet?
  • Tell 3 interesting facts about this planet.

3.  Your group will be assigned one of the remaining planets to research.  You must find the following information:

  • Does it have any moons?
  • Does it have any rings?
  • What is the atmosphere like?
  • How about the surface?
  • How big is the planet?
  • Have any humans or human-made devices visited this planet?
  • How far/close it is away from the Sun and/or Earth?
  • What is one thing that you did not know about this planet that people should know?

4.  Present the information that you have learned about your planet in a short video commercial advertising the planet to space travelers. Remember, you are trying to impress the ALIENS FROM ANOTHER GALAXY so that they will want to visit.  Really sell this planet! 

 

Evaluation

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Research and information Some required information is included, but many things are missing or need to be described in more detail. Most required information is included, but a few things are missing or need to be described in more detail. All required information is included. All required information is included, plus additional, interesting information.
Presentation Information is hard to follow in your video.  It is confusing to watch. Information is presented in a clear way, but it is not very interesting or exciting to watch. Information is presented in a clear, interesting way.  Information is presented in a clear, interesting, exciting, and engaging way.