The Search for Life Beyond Earth
This item is included in the following series/curriculum: Astronomy: Observations and Theories
- Grade Level: Senior High (10-12)-Adult
- Subjects: Astronomy
- Produced By: Coast Learning Systems
- Year: 2006
- Country: United States
- Language: English
- Running Time: 30m
- Captions:
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Scientists discuss the possibility that the early seeds of life on Earth were delivered by comet impacts and the reasons why it is believed that the first life began on the deep seafloor near hydrothermal vents. The discussion continues with a look at Europa's subsurface ocean and the pros and cons of life forming in that hostile location. The life zone or habitable zone of a star is defined and the efforts to detect signatures of that life using future spacecraft missions are described. The efforts and difficulties of communicating with an intelligent extraterrestrial civilization are discussed.