Module
4 - Life in Space
Introduction
Now that we have defined life and have an idea in what conditions it is created, where would it be found in space? What are the most likely life forms? We may be able to hunt for fossils on Mars. Some scientists think that Europa and Ganymede (moons of Jupiter) may already have life on them.
NASA is preparing plans for a possible mission to Europa that would put a lander on the surface. It has even been suggested that a mission could be devised that would drill through the ice layer and release a probe into the liquid underment. This is the "hydrobot" concept.
Assignment
In your notebook answer the following questions. Use all the resources.
- As astrobiologist, name the 2 most likely places you think you would find life in the universe and explain your reasoning.
- Describe 2 typical life forms you think you would encounter in each of those locations.
You should keep your work so that it can be added to your portfolio at the end of this project.
For extra credit, as an astrobiologist, discuss your plan to search for life on your destination and what you will most likely find. If your destination is the ISS, you may want to send probes (and perhaps also manned missions) to search for life in other parts of the solar system and the universe. Draw on all the information that you have researched.
Resources:
Life on Europa: http://www.resa.net/nasa/europa_life.htm
Galileo returning data on Ganymede and Europa:http://astrobiology.arc.nasa.gov/news/expandnews.cfm?id=439
If Life Exists On Mars, Our Robotic Probes May Have Brought It There This site describes NASA’s concerns and efforts to protect life on other worlds
Roadtest for Robots Finding life on Mars starts with developing technologies to explore the conditions for life and detecting life.
Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) The title says it all.
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