Astrobiology facts for kids
Astrobiology is the study of life in outer space. The field of astrobiology looks for conditions necessary for life, like liquid water, a good temperature, or the presence of oxygen.
Some possible places to find life in the solar system are Europa and Ganymede, moons of Jupiter, or Titan and Enceladus, moons of Saturn. These places may have liquid water. They are 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 its surface.
Astrobiology makes use of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, molecular biology, ecology, planetary science, geography and geology to investigate the possibility of life on other worlds and help recognize biospheres that might be different from the Earth's. Astrobiology concerns itself with an interpretation of existing scientific data; given more detailed and reliable data from other parts of the Universe, the roots of astrobiology itself—physics, chemistry, and biology—may have their theoretical bases challenged.
Images for kids
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Nucleic acids may not be the only biomolecules in the universe capable of coding for life processes.
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It is not known whether life elsewhere in the universe would utilize cell structures like those found on Earth. (Chloroplasts within plant cells shown here.)
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In June 2014, the John W. Kluge Center of the Library of Congress held a seminar focusing on astrobiology. Panel members (L to R) Robin Lovin, Derek Malone-France, and Steven J. Dick
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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.
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The NASA Kepler mission, launched in March 2009, searches for extrasolar planets.
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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.
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Chart showing the theorized origin of the chemical elements that make up the human body.
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Europa, due to the ocean that exists under its icy surface, might host some form of microbial life.
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What biosignatures does life produce?
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Replica of the 33.2 kg Beagle-2 lander
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Mars Science Laboratory rover concept artwork
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ExoMars rover model
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Artist's rendition of the Perseverance rover on Mars, with the mini-helicopter Ingenuity in front
See also
In Spanish: Astrobiología para niños
