ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF LIFE ASTROBIOLOGY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z           HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site Europa, life on A possible scenario for life on Europa. Image credit: Richard Greenberg Together with Mars, Callisto, and Titan, Europa is considered one of the most biologically interesting worlds in the solar system. There are two main reasons for this: 1) the possible presence of a sub-surface ocean of liquid water which could provide a medium and solvent for life (see Europa, ocean on), and 2) the possible presence of undersea volcanic vents. On Earth, in recent years, a profusion of previously unsuspected life-forms has been found at great ocean depths, thriving, in the absence of both light and oxygen, on chemical nutrients upwelling through hydrothermal vents from the interior of the planet. Indeed, many scientists now speculate that terrestrial life may actually have evolved under such conditions (see life, origin). Europan life, too, may have arisen in this way. Following the Galileo Extended Mission, which has supplied valuable new data on Europa, other spacecraft to this intriguing moon are under study (see Europa, future probes). See also ocean and possible life on Callisto. The possibility of life on Europa has been explored in some depth fictionally by Arthur C. Clarke in the three sequels to his 2001: A Space Odyssey – 2010, 2061, and 3001. Related categories    • ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF LIFE    • ASTROBIOLOGY Archived news Europan life: The good news and the bad (Jun 5, 2002) Europan tides might foster life (Feb 8, 2002) Europa's red tinge due to bacteria? (Dec 5, 2001) Energy for life on Europa? (Jun 16, 2001) Life on Europa? Scientists meet to discuss (Feb 9, 2001) Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP