The movie Avatar is full of creatures that are bioluminescent, meaning they glow. The film is fictional, but there are plenty of bioluminescent organisms in real life, such as this angler fish. (Photo from NOAA.)I am a fan of science fiction, and I enjoyed seeing the film Avatar over the holiday break. Although the movie was mostly fictional, some of the scientific details have roots in real life. For extra credit, you can read this article about the science of Avatar, and answer the questions below. Note: You do not need to see the movie to complete this assignment! Also, see Ms. Ewing if you would like a hard copy of the article and questions.
Questions:
Due January 15. Please answer on a separate sheet of paper, or submit via email at elewing@cps.edu.
1. Scientists may someday discover a planet or a moon that could be suitable for human life. What effect do you think this would have on life here on Earth?
2. "Pandora," where Avatar takes place, is a fictional moon. However, the solar system in which it is set, Alpha Centauri, is real. What is one major thing that makes this solar system different from ours? (Hint: It has something to do with the sun.)
3. In real life, as in the film, we are developing technology to allow human beings to control technology from far away: we can type from far away, give voice directions to a computer, or control a robot from far away. What are some possible uses for this kind of technology? (Hint: At least one is mentioned in the article.)
4. The fictional moon of Pandora has much lower gravity than Earth. How does this affect the appearance of the creatures that live there?