LIFE ON EUROPA Could this change our understanding of life? By: Michael Brunette Sayan Basu Two Rivers Middle Magnet School East Hartford, Connecticut.

LIFE ON EUROPA

Could this change our understanding of life?

By: Michael BrunetteBy: Michael Brunette

Sayan BasuSayan Basu

Two Rivers Middle Magnet School

East Hartford, Connecticut

Europa Facts

One of the 4 Galilean moons of JupiterOne of the 4 Galilean moons of Jupiter

Discovered by Galileo on January 7,1610Discovered by Galileo on January 7,1610

Avg. Orbital Speed = 13.740km/sAvg. Orbital Speed = 13.740km/s

Surface Temperature = 102k (-171C)Surface Temperature = 102k (-171C)

On Europa we have…Surface of ice Surface of ice

Many cracks in the ice Many cracks in the ice

Possible salt water ocean under the ice Possible salt water ocean under the ice surfacesurface

Atmosphere of molecular oxygenAtmosphere of molecular oxygen

Our Investigation…

Could there be life on Europa and how can Could there be life on Europa and how can we prove it? we prove it?

Idea: Send a probe to Europa to find Idea: Send a probe to Europa to find evidence of life that could be there. evidence of life that could be there.

Challenge: We need to know what Challenge: We need to know what Europa's conditions are Europa's conditions are

A Solution?

Scan surface for crevice on the iceScan surface for crevice on the ice

Send another probe down to take ice Send another probe down to take ice samplessamples

If biological matter or chemical markers If biological matter or chemical markers are found, then we can take equipment to are found, then we can take equipment to Europa and use cryobots to explore the Europa and use cryobots to explore the oceanocean

Problems

Ice surface is miles thickIce surface is miles thick

Deepest we have dug is 7.6 miles taking 15 Deepest we have dug is 7.6 miles taking 15 yearsyears

It will be expensive and take lots of time and It will be expensive and take lots of time and energy to take equipment to Europaenergy to take equipment to Europa

Equipment malfunctions would end the projectEquipment malfunctions would end the project

Why Would There Be Life On Europa

Evidence suggests that…Evidence suggests that…

Liquid salt water oceanLiquid salt water ocean

Likely more salt water than on EarthLikely more salt water than on Earth

Molten core allows for a possibility of sulfur Molten core allows for a possibility of sulfur based ecosystemsbased ecosystems

Hydrothermal VentsHydrothermal Vents

Why would there not be life on Europa?

Radiation dangerously high being 540remRadiation dangerously high being 540rem

Pressure is far less than normal pressure Pressure is far less than normal pressure on Earthon Earth

Surface Temp. Avg. 102KSurface Temp. Avg. 102K

Tidal Flexing

Caused by the gravitational torque of Caused by the gravitational torque of Jupiter on Europa’s tidesJupiter on Europa’s tides

Energy from angular momentum and total Energy from angular momentum and total energy turn to heatenergy turn to heat

The heat will cause convection currents on The heat will cause convection currents on the surface warming the ocean the surface warming the ocean

Hydrothermal Vents

Live near geologically active areasLive near geologically active areas

Give off minerals and chemicals such as Give off minerals and chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide that life forms require to hydrogen sulfide that life forms require to survivesurvive

Through a process known as Through a process known as chemosynthesis, methanogens can gain chemosynthesis, methanogens can gain energy to surviveenergy to survive

Chemosynthesis

The specimen takes in carbon or methane The specimen takes in carbon or methane with other nutrients to turn into organic with other nutrients to turn into organic mattermatter

This is done by oxidizing inorganic This is done by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen sulfide molecules such as hydrogen sulfide

Tardigrades

Phylum: TardigradaPhylum: Tardigrada

Commonly known as “water bears”Commonly known as “water bears”

PolyextremophilesPolyextremophiles

Most are phytophagousMost are phytophagous

Found in many regions: Himalayas, hot springs, Found in many regions: Himalayas, hot springs, ice, lakesice, lakes

Tardigrade Experiment Data

RadiationRadiation

Extreme heatExtreme heat

Extreme coldExtreme cold

Explanation

Cryobiosis: An ametabolic stage tardigrades go Cryobiosis: An ametabolic stage tardigrades go through to withstand effects of radiation, high through to withstand effects of radiation, high and low temps., pressure and toxins.and low temps., pressure and toxins.

Tardigrades acquire it through anhydrobiosisTardigrades acquire it through anhydrobiosis

Able to survive from high levels of trehalose to Able to survive from high levels of trehalose to protect their membranes during desiccationprotect their membranes during desiccation

Methanogens Produce energy from chemosynthesisProduce energy from chemosynthesis

Have been living in the ice of GreenlandHave been living in the ice of Greenland

Are anaerobicAre anaerobic

Can survive cold temperaturesCan survive cold temperatures

Are chemotrophsAre chemotrophs

Extremophiles

Can live in very harsh conditionsCan live in very harsh conditions

Hyperthermophiles live near hydrothermal Hyperthermophiles live near hydrothermal systemssystems

Cryophiles live well in conditions 15 Cryophiles live well in conditions 15 degrees or lowerdegrees or lower

Conclusions We could find evidence of life by first sending an orbiter We could find evidence of life by first sending an orbiter

and then using a probe.and then using a probe.

There is a high possibility of a liquid ocean due to tidal There is a high possibility of a liquid ocean due to tidal flexingflexing

Life on Europa would have to survive through Life on Europa would have to survive through chemosynthesischemosynthesis

Most likely life form living there are methanogensMost likely life form living there are methanogens

Tardigrades can survive in extreme conditions for an Tardigrades can survive in extreme conditions for an limited amount of timelimited amount of time

Possible Careers

AstronautAstronaut

Astro-biologistAstro-biologist

Space Exploration ProgramsSpace Exploration Programs

BiologistBiologist

Mechanical EngineerMechanical Engineer

Areas Of More Study

AmphipodsAmphipods

Technology used in exploration missionsTechnology used in exploration missions

Organic molecules and how they are Organic molecules and how they are formedformed

Hydrothermal vent constructionHydrothermal vent construction

What We Have Learned

What Chemosynthesis is and how it worksWhat Chemosynthesis is and how it works

How early life forms lived on EarthHow early life forms lived on Earth

What Heterotrophs areWhat Heterotrophs are

What Methanogens, Tardigrades and Extremophiles What Methanogens, Tardigrades and Extremophiles areare

What Tidal Flexing is and how it impacts What Tidal Flexing is and how it impacts planets/moonsplanets/moons

Resources http://www.physorg.com/news166284392.htmlhttp://www.physorg.com/news166284392.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(moonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(moon http://www.astro.virginia.edu/class/oconnell/ast121/http://www.astro.virginia.edu/class/oconnell/ast121/

europalimages.htmleuropalimages.html http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/multimedia/http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/multimedia/

2008/08/gallery_kola_borehole2008/08/gallery_kola_borehole http://www.physorg.com/news203835088.htmlhttp://www.physorg.com/news203835088.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemosynthesishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemosynthesis Popular Science: Chemistry, Biology, PhysicsPopular Science: Chemistry, Biology, Physics Popular Science:Popular Science: Popular Science:Popular Science:

Thank You!

Thank you for watching our presentation!Thank you for watching our presentation!

We would like to thank Mr.Smith, We would like to thank Mr.Smith, Mrs.Hazen, Two Rivers and NASA for Mrs.Hazen, Two Rivers and NASA for giving us this opportunity to share our giving us this opportunity to share our

thoughts!thoughts!