Current Research

Photograph of Europa by NASA

Astrobiologists are involved in some of the most fascinating research going on at this very moment. Below is a sample of astrobiology projects that are currently occuring and will continue to run as youth like you or I enter the field in a few years.

Finding another Earth-Like Planet
Astrobiologists looking outside our solar system discovered the most Earth-like planet yet. This planet is near the Earth in size and is inside of the “habitable zone”, so it could possibly contain liquid water, which scientists believe is necessary to contain life. With new techniques in use – such as looking at the smaller, fainter, red stars, which make detecting planets easier, and using the amazingly precise “HARPS” method, which can better discover smaller planets similar to the Earth – the search is becoming easier. The quest continues for ever more Earth-like planets fueled by the intense curiosity we have for finding other life in the universe.

Underwater Volcano helps Unlock the Origins of Life:
Astrobiologists found a unique volcano that is underwater, constantly erupting, and in a perfect location to study. Scientists are using this site, called NW Rota 1, to study undersea volcanoes, which act differently than land volcanoes, and examine the specific species that have adapted to the acidity of the area. The study of this very unique ecosystem at NW Rota 1, based on the hydrothermal vents created by the volcano, is particularly fascinating because some believe that life on Earth might be derived from similar conditions.

Hope for Jupiter and Saturn’s Moons:
ESA and NASA have combined their efforts to eventually launch technology to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. These moons are our best hopes for finding water and a potential place for life in our solar system. This mission will include Jupiter’s “Jovian” family of moons, most importantly Europa, and Saturn’s moon, Titan, both of which are believed to have subsurface water. As well as searching for habitable locations, other major motives for the mission is the opportunity to look at one moon’s unique self-generated magnetic field and to examine the craters on Callisto which may tell the story of our early solar system.

Oreos in Space:
While these “O/Oreos” aren’t cookies (they’re actually Organism/Organics Exposure to Orbital Stress nano-satellites) they do represent important research for the future of humans in space. These satellites, which are relatively inexpensive since they piggyback on the launches of other, larger spacecrafts, are allowing scientists daily opportunities to see how living material (in this case bacteria) is effected by conditions in space. These O/Oreos will help us learn vital information; we need to know how space will affect us for future, prolonged space travel.

See our bibliography for links to more info