Questions regarding the study of life outside of Earth.
Questions tagged [astrobiology]
120 questions
41
votes
7 answers
Why are we trying to prevent life from spreading via landers rather than actively encouraging it?
The question How certain are we that we have not accidentally sent life to other planets/moons? talks about all the precautions taken to avoid spreading life to other planets/moons. But why even try it? Wouldn't we want to actively spread bacteria…
JonathanReez
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15
votes
7 answers
What would be the practical benefits of finding life in the Solar System?
An interesting article on the World Economic Forum website talks about the benefits of exploring Mars:
There are also reasons for visiting Mars that transcend the purely
scientific. Sending humans to Mars is a challenge that will spark
innovation…
JonathanReez
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7
votes
1 answer
If extraterrestrial life exists in our Solar system, is it believed to be unicellular or multicellular?
The Wiki article Life on Mars states the following:
The primary mission of the Viking probes of the mid-1970s was to carry out experiments designed to detect microorganisms in Martian soil because the favorable conditions for the evolution of…
JonathanReez
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2
votes
1 answer
Is chirality random, or is a specific chirality favoured?
Consider the hypothetical case that we encounter alien life and it is based on the same chemical foundation as terrestrial life (amino acids, nucleic acids, etc.). Would it be reasonable to expect the same chirality as terrestrial, a 50/50 chance of…
Anthony X
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2
votes
3 answers
Life on other planets not based on water
I keep reading that scientists are looking for life on other planets. However almost always their premise to determine the same is based on life on Earth, i.e. need for water, air, etc. Why do we always think of life on Earth?
Isn't it conceivable…
Raghav
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1
vote
0 answers
Do you know any jokes that aliens might enjoy?
What are some jokes that aliens can understand without a lot of knowledge on humans?
I think that humour is an essential part of being a human. And if we ever make contact with aliens then we should be prepare some jokes for them
Do you know any…
Ivan Denysov
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1
vote
0 answers
Was there ever serious speculation that some terrestrial deep sea life might be of alien origin?
According to this usually fairly well-researched youtube channel,
There are also some truly strange critters in the deep sea and some so strange it's been speculated they were alien, and not always as a joke or by a crackpot.
Was there ever…
Wouter
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0
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1 answer
How possible are simple life forms on Europa?
I heard about an 'ocean' under Europa's ice surface and that there are higher temperatures.
Is it possible that there are amino acids or simple organic molecules like there was on the early Earth?
joe
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