Our+Meetings+with+our+Scientists

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 Questions for the Scientists:
What kind of animals live on Artrix? What type of animals can we eat? How large/small are the animals?

What shape is the continent?

What landforms are on the planet?

How many continents and oceans are on the planet?

What is the climate?

When was Artrix discovered?

Is the sun powerful enough for solar energy?

What natural resources are on and in Artrix? Where are they? Is the soil fertile? Yes. Especially in river valleys.

How large is the planet? 197 million square miles.

Is there fresh water? Where? Yes.

Does Artrix have flowing water useful for hydroelectric power? Yes, 6 percent of power from water. Ocean water can also be used for power.

What kind of atmosphere is on Artrix?What kind of plants are on Artrix?

Are air currents good and smooth for planes to fly? Sails? The air currents are very smooth unless there is a storm.

During the summer it is hot 90 degrees. In winter the average temperature is 30. Spring and Fall are 68-70 degrees.

Animals: Black bear, grey squirrel, coyote, beaver, chipmunk, white tailed deer, woodchuck, skunk, crow, red bellied salamander.

Does the climate affect the land? Sometimes, depending on the season. In the winter, the ground is frozen and you can’t grow much. In fall, the leaves come down a lot and bury everything. The growing season is about 8 months.

There are different landforms, valleys, peninsulas and valleys. 2380 feet is the largest landform.

Is the ground flat or hilly on Artrix? Lots of mountains and valleys. Flat and rugged. There are rivers. Flatlands by the rivers.

Is the geography the same in Artrix as it is on our planet?

It was discovered March 16th, 2009. We have until 2012 to get off of Earth.

Is Artrix in our solar system? No, a few solar systems away.

Are the air currents good for planes and sails? 78% nitrogen, Is the sun powerful enough for solar energy? Not in winter, it is blocked out by clouds.

What natural resources are on Artrix.? Granite, water, trees and basalt. Scattered throughout the planet. Maybe oil or natural gas.

What kind of atmosphere? 78 nitrogen, 20 oxygen, 5 carbon dioxide. Air contains water vapor. The ozone layer is just like earth. There may be some global warming. Frozen land up North in Artrix. Land is north is cool, because it is further away from the sun.

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Questions for the Scientists:
 How and when was Artrix discovered? How large is Artrix? What color is Artrix? Is there gravity on Planet Artrix? If so, how does it compare to Earth? What is the air like on Artrix? What is the atmosphere like? How far from its sun is the planet Artrix? Does Artrix have a moon? Do the oceans have tides and waves?  What kind of regions are there on Artrix? Deserts? Rain Forests? What kinds of landforms are there on Artrix? How many seasons are there on Artrix? Are the seasons similar to earth? What is the climate like? What is the range of temperatures? Does it rain or snow on Artrix? How much and how often? Is there lightning and thunder? Tornadoes? Hurricanes? What percentage of Artrix is land? Is the land on Artrix rough or smooth? Is the land solid? Can we build roads and will it support buildings?  What natural resources are available to us on Artrix? What kinds of metal or other raw materials are available? Is there oil or natural gas on Artrix?  Is wind power a possibility?  Can Artrix’s sun provide solar energy for us? Would it be enough to support the entire population?  Is there water on Artrix? Is it drinkable? What percentage of Artrix is covered by water? Are there oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams on Artrix? Are there fish in the waters? Are they edible? Is wave or hydroelectric power possible on Artrix?  <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">What kinds of plants grow on Artrix? Are there trees on Artrix? Do any of the trees produce edible fruit? Are the trees strong enough to be used as building materials? ie: wood? Is there soil that can be used for growing crops? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 8.5pt;"> <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Are there any animals on Artrix? What kind? Are they good food sources? Could their skins be used for clothing? <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Could they be used to carry and move things? Could they be tamed ? Do they resemble earth animals at all?
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">GENERAL QUESTIONS: **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">CLIMATE AND LANDFORMS: **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">NATURAL RESOURCES: **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">ANIMALS: **

ANSWERS FROM MRS. COWELL'S SCIENTISTS:
Life on Artrix: Answers to Questions __ How and when was Artrix discovered? __ Twenty five years ago, a satellite wandered around and it discovered it. Then NASA sent out a droid and it crashed into Artrix. In 2000, a NASA mission was sent officially to Artrix.

__ Is there gravity on Planet Artrix? __ Yes. The gravity is almost the same as Earth except you are 5 percent lighter due to a slightly lower gravitational pull. This is because Artrix is smaller than earth.

__ How large is Artrix? What color is Artrix? __ Artrix is slightly smaller than Earth – about 190 million square miles – and appears green, brown, white, and aqua blue. __ What is the air like on Artrix? __ The air is very much like earth but unpolluted because there are no cars or factories there. The breakdown is as follows: 78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen 1% Other Gases (Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Neon, Helium, Krypton, Hydrogen, and Xenon The atmosphere has two moons that are very easily seen.

__ How far from its sun is the planet Artrix? __ Artrix is the second planet in its solar system and about 93 million miles away from its sun. That’s about the same distance from our earth to our sun.

__ Does Artrix have a moon? __ Yes, it has two moons.

__ Do the oceans have tides and waves? __ Yes, tides are caused by of the gravitational pull of Artrix’s moons. And the waves are formed from wind.

__ What kind of regions are there on Artrix? Deserts? Rain forests? __ There are two polar regions (north and south) on Artrix. The Western Hemisphere of Artrix has coastal regions, evergreen forests, temperate rainforests, mountains, plains, plateaus, semi-deserts, wetlands, meadows, and valleys.

__ What kinds of landforms are there on Artrix? __ The Western Hemisphere of Artrix has mountains, valleys, cliffs, hills, inlets, bays, buttes, canyons, basins, rivers, and lakes. There are dormant volcanoes, but no active volcanoes because they have already erupted. The highest elevation is 11,239 feet. The average elevation is 3,297 feet. The lowest elevation is sea level.

__ How many seasons are there on Artrix? __ There are four seasons, similar to earth.

__ What is the climate like and what is the range of temperatures? __ The Western Hemisphere of Artrix typically has a temperate climate, but it has variety depending on the region. A large mountain range separates the hemisphere into two general climate zones. The western third of the hemisphere has heavier precipitation and moderate temperatures. The eastern two-thirds have much less precipitation and more extreme temperatures. Elevation makes a difference in the climate.

Temperatures change depending on the season. In the winter, average temperatures range from 20 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the Western Hemisphere. In the spring and fall, average temperatures range from 35 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, average temperatures range from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Heavy'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Does it rain or snow on Artix? __ Most of the rain happens in part of the hemisphere continent that is west of the major mountain range. It does snow sometimes in the winter in this area, but rain is very common. Snow is common at higher elevations in the mountains. <span style="background: yellow; font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-highlight: yellow; msoansilanguage: EN; msohighlight: yellow; text-decoration: none;"> __ Is there lightning and thunder? Tornadoes? Hurricane? __ Thunder and lightning are common during the wet seasons on Artrix’s Western Hemisphere. Hurricanes do not happen due to the wrong weather conditions. Tornadoes have been detected, but are not common. __ What percentage of Artrix is land? __ 34% of Artrix is land. __ Is the land rough or smooth? __ Artrix has both rough and smooth land, depending on the region.

__ Is the land solid? Can we build roads and will it support buildings? __ The land in the Western Hemisphere of Artrix is mostly solid, although it is different in different regions. The ground will support roads and buildings, although mountains and valleys may present challenges. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ What natural resources are available to us on Artrix? __ The Western Hemisphere of Artrix has rich soil for farming, water, wind, and trees. Oil and natural gas do not appear to be available underground in any large amount in Western Artrix.

__ Is wind power a possibility? __ Wind power would be a possibility in Western Artrix. It is better in some places than others, though. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Heavy'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Can Artrix’s sun provide solar energy for us? Would it be enough to support the entire population? __ Artrix’s sun is quite powerful. There is enough solar energy to support the entire population. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Is there water on Artrix? Are there oceans, lakes rivers, and streams? Is it drinkable? __ Artrix is 66% water. There is salt water in the oceans and fresh water in lakes and rivers. The fresh water is clean and, therefore, drinkable. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Are there fish in waters? Are they edible? __ There are fish in both the fresh and salt waters of Artrix. Most are edible, but some are not. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Is wave or hydroelectric power possible on Artrix? __ Wave power is definitely possible in the oceans of Artrix because of the tides and waves. The currents in the rivers would make hydroelectric power possible, too. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ What kind of plants grow on Artrix? __ The soil is rich and very similar to earth’s soil. There are many trees (fruit, coniferous, and deciduous), flowers, edible grains, and fertile soil to plant crops. There are also lots of bees!

__ Are there trees that produce edible fruit? __ Fruit trees exist on Artrix that are quite similar to earth’s apples, pears, and cherries. Others may exist as well. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Are the trees strong enough to be used as building materials? i.e. wood? __ Yes, Artrix has many evergreen coniferous trees that resemble pine and fir trees on earth that can be used as building materials. Artrix also has deciduous and hardwood trees which are similar to oak, maple, birch, and madrone. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Is their soil used for growing crops? __ Absolutely! Rich soil and seasonal rains make growing crops very possible. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Are there any animals on Artrix? What kind? __ Animals in the Western Hemisphere of Artrix are very similar these animals on earth: Deer, elk, antelope, big horned sheep, mountain goats, coyotes, wolves, foxes, cougars, bear, beaver, muskrats, skunks, badgers, squirrels, snakes, lizards, turkeys, eagle, hawks, osprey, pheasant, quail, and many smaller birds. In the oceans, there are animals similar to dolphins, whales, sea lions. There are also rumors of more unusual animals such as skigers – a skunk and tiger hybrid. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Are the animals good food sources? Could they be used for clothing? __ Most animals on Artrix could be used for food sources, but some would be tastier than others. The skins of larger animals could be used for clothing. Smaller animals could be too, but it might take more work. <span style="font-family: 'Franklin Gothic Book'; mso-ansi-language: EN; msoansilanguage: EN; text-decoration: none;"> __ Do they resemble earth animals at all? __ Many of the animals on Artrix look very similar to animals on earth.