Drawing from the Data: Illustrating the TRAPPIST-1 Exoplanets
About Educational Resource
In this activity, participants explore a scale model and real data from the TRAPPIST-1 exoplanet system to see how scientists and artists use current information to depict these distant worlds. Through a close-looking exercise, participants discuss how scientific illustrations evolve over time as our understanding of exoplanets changes. In an accompanying video, astronomer and artist Robert Hurt explains the science behind illustrating exoplanets. Participants will learn that:
- Exoplanets are planets outside of our solar system.
- We can make measurements to learn about distant exoplanets.
- Most exoplanet images are scientific illustrations, based on telescope data and knowledge about our solar system.
- Science is an iterative process where new data can change our understanding and illustrations of exoplanets.
- Models are useful tools for understanding, studying, discussing, and explaining astronomical phenomena based on current data, even if they are not perfect representations.
View the detailed activity guide
CalloutThis activity is part of the larger The Cosmic Canvas: Exoplanets Program Guide. The guide invites adult-youth pairs to discover planets beyond our solar system — called exoplanets — through creative, hands-on activities that blend art and science. End callout