Follow this link to go to the text only version of nasa.gov
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Spacer Spacer Follow this link to skip to the main content
+ Contact NASA
Spacer
Spacer Go
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
+ ARC Home
+ Home
ASTROBIOLOGY
HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT ASTROBIOLOGY
ASTROBIOLOGY WORLDWIDE
SCIENCE & MISSIONS
TECHNOLOGIES
MEETINGS & EVENTS
FOR THE RESEARCHER
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
FOR THE STUDENT
MULTIMEDIA
RELATED LINKS
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer ASTROBIOLOGY FACT?
spacer
spacer spacer
Scientists are particularly interested in Saturn's moon Titan because it's one of the few known moons with its own dense atmosphere. Titan's atmosphere is also thought to be very similar to what Earth's atmosphere was a long time ago. By learning about Titan, we'll learn about our own planet.
spacer
spacer
Spacer
Astrobiology Banner
Spacer
Spacer
news and events
Spacer
Spacer

This site is no longer maintained. It contains historical data.

For current information about the NASA Astrobiology Program, please visit http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/


2000-07-26 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Yellowstone microbes ride on NASA rocket

One of the primary goals of astrobiology is to determine how life began on Earth. A few astrobiologists argue that single-celled life forms may have originated on Mars and spread to Earth aboard meteorites. Or vice versa.

Today a NASA rocket spent twenty minutes in space putting these theories to the test.


More on this story Full text of original item from CNN, Jul 26, 2000

Related news stories

Nov 26, 2002 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Surviving the Final Frontier
(Astrobiology Magazine) - Can microbes travel between planets aboard meteorites?

Dec 05, 2001 | SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGIES
Debate Rages on over Evidence of Mars Life in Meteorite
(Spaceflight Now) - Scientists argue the significance of magnetic crystals found inside Martian meteorite ALH 84001.

Nov 02, 2001 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Why Microbes Matter
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - A key question facing astrobiology is whether life has arisen independently elsewhere in our universe.

Oct 26, 2001 | SCIENCE
The Three Domains of Life
(NASA Astrobiology Institute) - For many years, scientists divided life into five kingdoms: animals, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria. But in recent years the discovery of a group of microbes called archaea has radically altered this view.

Aug 29, 2001 | SCIENCE
From Mars to Earth in a Meteorite?
(Scientific American) - A study suggests that the interior of a meteorite from Mars remained cool enough to transport life to Earth.

Apr 30, 2001 | SCIENCE
Does the Famous Martian Meteorite Really Point to Life?
(NASA/Space.com) - Debate continues over whether Martian meteorite ALH84001 contains evidence of ancient life on Mars.

Oct 30, 2000 | SCIENCE
The new case for panspermia
(Space.com) - The theory that microscopic life can spread from planet to planet is hotly contested. This feature article reviews the history of that debate.

Oct 18, 2000 | SCIENCE
Bacteria brought back to life after 250 million years
(BBC) - Microbes dormant for 250 million years have been revived. The findings may have implications for the search for life on Mars and for the origin of life on Earth.

Jun 05, 2000 | SCIENCE
New Martian meteorites found
(space.com) - Researchers have identified five more rocks from Mars.

May 03, 2000 | SCIENCE, EDUCATION
Astronauts hunt microbes and meteorites at the South Pole
(Science@NASA) - Astrobiologists and astronauts -- including Jim Lovell of Apollo 13 -- traveled to Antarctica in January to study microbial life there. Their findings will shed light on whether life may exist on frozen bodies such as Mars and Europa.

Mar 01, 2000 | SCIENCE
Sulfur in meteorites offers no evidence of Mars life
(SpaceViews) - Scientists claim that that sulfur concentrations found in Martian meteorites are the result of atmospheric processes and not of life on Mars. Sulfur concentrations may not be an effective biomarker.

Jan 13, 2000 | SCIENCE
Panspermia theoretically possible, say scientists
(Yahoo!/AP) - A team of scientists has concluded that single-celled organisms from Mars could theoretically have seeded the Earth with life, or vice versa.

Dec 30, 1999 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS
Experiment tests whether microbes can travel between planets
(BBC) - Some scientists believe that single-celled life could survive within meteorites and spread from planet to planet. An experiment aboard a space capsule will test this hypothesis.

Dec 14, 1999 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Radiation-resistant microbe could play major role in Martian exploration
(Science@NASA) - The microbe can help scientists determine the best locations to seek life on Mars. Later, it may help keep astronauts healthy. Finally, it may reshape Mars for colonists.

Nov 08, 1999 | SCIENCE
Asteroid may have brought Martian life to Earth
(space.com) - Recent scientific findings suggest that our ancestors -- single-celled organisms -- may be Martian.

Oct 04, 1999 | SCIENCE
Hardy Microbes appear able to survive in space
(Washington Post) - NASA astrobiologist Rocco Mancinelli's findings bolster the hypothesis that microbial life may have evovled elsewhere and spread to Earth, or vice versa. His research also underscores the need for planetary protection from exterrestrial organisms in sample-return missions.


The preceding news links are provided as a public service for interested users. The views and claims expressed in external internet sites are not necessarily those of NASA.

Spacer


FirstGov - Your First Click to the US Government
+ Freedom of Information Act
+ Budgets, Strategic Plans and Accountability Reports
+ The President's Management Agenda
+ NASA Privacy Statement, Disclaimer,
spacerand Accessibility Certification

+ Inspector General Hotline
+ Equal Employment Opportunity Data Posted Pursuant
spacerto the No Fear Act

+ Information-Dissemination Priorities and Inventories
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Editor: Minafra
NASA Official: Lynn J. Rothschild
Last Updated: November 13, 2007
+ Questions and Comments
Spacer
Spacer
Spacer