Astrobiology

Astrobiology is the study of life in outer space. The field of astrobiology looks for conditions necessary for life, such as liquid water or a similar substitute, a good temperature, or the presence of oxygen.

Some possible places to find life in the solar system are Europa,^[1] Ganymede, moons of Jupiter, or Titan^[2] and Enceladus, both moons of Saturn. Some of these places may have liquid water, or, in the case of Titan, hydrocarbons that could support a different type of life. They may be too cold to support life on their surfaces, but if they have liquid water, the water must be warm enough to support life. Astrobiologists suggest that there may be a liquid water ocean under their surfaces.

Astrobiology Media

Nucleic acids may not be the only biomolecules in the universe capable of coding for life processes.
The interior of Europa
Chart showing the theorized origin of the chemical elements that make up the human body
Asteroid(s) may have transported life to Earth.
Artist's impression of the extrasolar planet OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb orbiting its star 20,000 light-years from Earth; this planet was discovered with gravitational microlensing.
The NASA Kepler mission, launched in March 2009, searches for extrasolar planets.
Hydrothermal vents support extremophile bacteria on Earth, provided an energy-rich environment for the origin of life, and may also support life in other parts of the cosmos.
Replica of the 33.2 kg Beagle-2 lander
Mars Science Laboratory rover concept artwork
ExoMars model at ILA 2006 (Berlin)