Exploring Life and Evolution in the Solar System

Myxomatosis

Disease in rabbits adapted to be less deadly.

Runaway Greenhouse Effect

Venus's early conditions led to extreme heating.

Phosphine

Possible indicator of life; measurement may be erroneous.

Mars Environment

Cold, dry, thin atmosphere; sterilized by UV.

Viking Landers

Found active chemistry, not conclusive for life.

GCMS

No organics found on Mars surface.

MER

Mars rovers found ancient lake beds and blueberries.

Curiosity Rover

Discovered old stream beds and evidence of water.

Europa

Potential global ocean beneath ice; tidal heating present.

NASA Europa Clipper

Mission to Europa, arriving in 2030.

Enceladus

Saturn moon with geysers and salty ocean below.

Titan

Thick atmosphere, methane lakes, potential for life.

Miller-Urey Experiment

Titan's chemistry resembles early Earth conditions.

Panspermia

Theory that comets brought life to early Earth.

Mars Meteorite

Shows water and alteration; likely non-biological.

Hydrothermal Vents

Possible energy source for life in ocean depths.

Tidal Heating

Heating from gravitational forces; supports liquid water.

Evolution

Life changes through variation, inheritance, and selection.

Melanism

Dark coloration adaptation in English peppered moths.

Cambrian Explosion

570 million years ago; complex life forms emerged.

Icy Bodies

Rocky core, icy crust, possible liquid mantle.

Exploration Methods

Land, fly, float, rove, and drill for life.