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Astrobiology

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Submitted By jlamir
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Astrobiology Astrobiology is the study of life outside of Earth. Life on other planets has yet to be discovered. However, scientists believe there is life somewhere else in the universe. Before searching for life elsewhere, scientists attempt to discover how life started on Earth. The Earth is truly an optimal location for millions of types of life. The sun is at a seemingly perfect distance from the Earth. Scientists look for rocks to find microbes in fossils. Sedimentary rocks can contain rock formations that date to 3.5 million years ago. Humans are the descendants of star dust. Dust particles contacted each other for millions of years and eventually formed larger particles. These particles clashed against each other for another long period of time. Eventually planets were formed. Scientists still don’t know how non- living matter lead to the first living organism. Scientists do know that all life on Earth has oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon particles inside.
Scientists believe Mars was wetter and warmer in the past, so they believe there used to be life on Mars. Mars has polar ice caps, so scientists believe it has water beneath its surface. A heat source and water source are needed for life, and Mars at one time had both. Hydrothermal vents on Earth have an environment like no other. Organisms can survive in this environment without sunlight as an energy source. Many scientists believe these vents are where life on Earth originated. Mars has signs of past volcanoes and rivers, so these hydrothermal vents probably existed there too. Some scientists believe plate tectonic is necessary for planets to keep biological diversity. Mars never had plate tectonics.
Scientists have found another heavenly body that may have life on it. This body is Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. Titan, an extremely cold moon, has liquid methane on it. There is nitrogen on Titan, which

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