Chemistry of life part 3 Flashcards
Where life might exist on the moons of the solar system?
Europa- a moon of jupiter with a surface layer of water ice of unknown thickness
What are some characteristics of Europa? (4)
weak magnetic field
does not have molten metal core
ice layer sits on top of salty liquid
ocean
seafloor is geologically active
what is Enceladus?
what is at its south pole?
A moon of saturn, which also has an ocean of salty liquid water underneath an icy surface crust
100 of geysers shooting water ice and water vapour into space
What are calisto and ganymede?
Moons of jupiter; perhaps have water oceans between layers of ice
What is titan?
Moon of saturn first one ever discovered?
dense N2 and methane atmosphere but no co2, o2, or water
What is SETI?
Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
How should we look for life outside the solar system?
Next generation space telescope “james webb space telescope”
The fact that SETI has not come up with anything suggests what?
That there is no Pan-galactic federation or Empire
What would the discovery of extraterrestrial life mean for us?
it would mean that life is common in the galaxy, not rare
What is the Copenican principle?
Our place in the universe is not special
