Question

exoplanet habitable zone data table
planet name,mass of star (solar masses),given orbital period (earth years),calculated average distance (au),habitable zone inner limit (au),habitable zone outer limit (au)
kepler - 79 b,1.165,0.0369,0.1166,1.711,4.229
kepler - 18 b,0.972,0.0096,0.0448,1.463,3.227
kepler - 186 f,0.544,0.3560,0.4100,0.242,0.464
kepler - 442 b,0.61,0.3078,0.3866,0.252,0.531
toi - 2257 b,0.33,0.0964,0.1453,0.079,0.167
hd 20782 b,0.96,1.6050,1.3523,2.613,4.632
trappist - 1 f,0.089,0.0252,0.0384,0.023,0.048
trappist - 1 g,0.089,0.034,0.0469,0.023,0.048

1. in the table above, highlight the name of any planets that orbit in the habitable zone of their system. how did you determine this using the data in the table?
2. does this mean that they orbit within the habitable zone throughout their entire orbital period of revolution around their star? what other information would help you determine this?
3. how do the habitable zones of different stars compare? use the planet around a massive star kepler - 79 b and around a low mass star, toi - 2257 b, to help with your comparison.

Explanation:

Step1: Check planet - distance vs habitable zone

For each planet, compare the calculated average distance to the habitable - zone inner and outer limits. If the calculated average distance is between the inner and outer limits of the habitable zone, the planet orbits in the habitable zone.
For Kepler - 79 b: 0.1166 AU (calculated average distance) is less than 1.711 AU (inner limit), so it is not in the habitable zone.
For Kepler - 18 b: 0.0448 AU is less than 1.463 AU, so it is not in the habitable zone.
For Kepler - 186 f: 0.4100 AU is between 0.242 AU (inner limit) and 0.464 AU (outer limit), so it is in the habitable zone.
For Kepler - 442 b: 0.3866 AU is between 0.252 AU and 0.531 AU, so it is in the habitable zone.
For TOI - 2257 b: 0.1453 AU is between 0.079 AU and 0.167 AU, so it is in the habitable zone.
For HD 20782 b: 1.3523 AU is less than 2.613 AU, so it is not in the habitable zone.
For Trappist - 1 f: 0.0384 AU is between 0.023 AU and 0.048 AU, so it is in the habitable zone.
For Trappist - 1 g: 0.0469 AU is between 0.023 AU and 0.048 AU, so it is in the habitable zone.

Step2: Consider orbital dynamics for question 5

The calculated average distance only gives a snapshot. To determine if a planet orbits within the habitable zone throughout its entire orbital period, we would need to know the shape of the orbit (e.g., circular or elliptical). If the orbit is elliptical, the distance of the planet from the star varies. We would need the eccentricity of the orbit and the peri - helion (closest distance to the star) and aphelion (farthest distance to the star) values.

Step3: Compare habitable zones for question 6

For Kepler - 79 b, the star has a mass of 1.165 solar masses, and the habitable zone is from 1.711 AU to 4.229 AU. For TOI - 2257 b, the star has a mass of 0.33 solar masses, and the habitable zone is from 0.079 AU to 0.167 AU. The habitable zone of a massive star (Kepler - 79 b's star) is much farther from the star and wider in range compared to the habitable zone of a low - mass star (TOI - 2257 b's star).

Answer:

1. Planets in the habitable zone: Kepler - 186 f, Kepler - 442 b, TOI - 2257 b, Trappist - 1 f, Trappist - 1 g. Determined by comparing the calculated average distance to the habitable - zone inner and outer limits.
2. No. Information needed: Eccentricity of the orbit, peri - helion, and aphelion values.
3. The habitable zone of the massive star (Kepler - 79 b's star) is farther from the star and wider in range compared to the habitable zone of the low - mass star (TOI - 2257 b's star).