StarTalk Radio
Europa Clipper’s Search for Life with Kevin Hand
Oct 29, 2024
Kevin Hand, an astrobiologist and planetary scientist, discusses the tantalizing search for extraterrestrial life in our solar system. He highlights the Europa Clipper mission, which aims to explore Jupiter's moon Europa, a potential habitat beneath its icy surface. Hand delves into extreme environments where life could exist, comparing them with Martian subsurface activities. They also explore how past missions, like Voyager, laid the groundwork for today's quest, igniting curiosity about the adaptability of life beyond Earth.
37:10
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Quick takeaways
- The forthcoming Europa Clipper mission aims to explore the icy surface and subsurface of Europa for signs of extraterrestrial life.
- Recent scientific advancements challenge previous notions of habitability, suggesting life could thrive in diverse and extreme environments beyond Earth.
Deep dives
Understanding Ocean Worlds
The concept of ocean worlds expands the possibilities for finding extraterrestrial life beyond Earth, focusing primarily on moons like Europa, Enceladus, and Titan. These celestial bodies, covered with icy shells, are believed to harbor subsurface oceans of liquid water, making them prime candidates in the search for life. Unlike Mars, which is largely considered a candidate for past life due to its dry conditions, these ocean worlds may support current life forms beneath their icy surfaces. The presence of liquid water under the ice increases the chances of discovering extant life, exciting scientists who aim to explore and study these environments.
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