search
Alien
Trends
- 1Ancient ocean chemistry may guide search for alien life●Ocean chemistry on ancient Earth could help scientists search for life on alien worlds
Scientists say the chemistry of Earth's ancient oceans could serve as a guide in the search for life on other planets. By studying how early marine conditions supported the emergence of life, researchers hope to identify chemical signatures worth looking for on alien worlds, sharpening the focus of future missions and telescopic observations of distant planets.
- 2Scientists recreate Enceladus's ocean chemistry in the lab●Scientists recreate Enceladus’s ocean and watch Earth microbes thrive
Researchers have built a laboratory replica of the ocean of Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon, and found that Earth microbes can survive in it. The experiment suggests conditions beneath the moon's frozen shell may be more hospitable to life than assumed, boosting interest in future missions to sample the plumes of water escaping into space.