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


2002-09-24 | SCIENCE, EDUCATION
Search for Life at the Top of the World

Near the summit of a dormant volcano in Chile’s Atacama Desert lies the highest lake in the world. At roughly 5900 meters (18,000 feet), the lake atop Licancabur volcano is seared by ultraviolet radiation and starved for oxygen—a little like Mars, although far less severe. A closer resemblance might be the Mars of billions of years ago, when the atmosphere may have been thicker and water may have pooled on the surface. How the bottom of the Licancabur lake remains liquid year-round is a puzzle—lingering volcanic heat may melt the ice. Perhaps the remnants of Mars' once vigorous volcanoes likewise melt pockets of water. A team of researchers, including NASA Mars scientist Nathalie Cabrol, will travel to the Chilean volcano in October to examine microorganisms in the lake, to determine what kinds of extremophiles can thrive in such a harsh environment. Accompanying the scientists up the rugged slopes will be California students on a fieldtrip—a virtual field trip, that is. Students in the classroom will be able to communicate with the scientists over the internet and monitor the progress of the expedition.

The public is invited to join in the virtual field trip via the web at www.extremeenvironment.com, beginning October 16.


More on this story Full text of original item from Space.com, Sep 24, 2002

Related news stories

Oct 23, 2003 | MISSIONS
NASA Scientists to Study Lake's Primitive Life to Learn About Mars
(NASA - ARC) - Some of Earth's highest-altitude lakes may show us what life could have been like on early Mars.

Nov 13, 2002 | SCIENCE
Lake Mysteries from the World's Roof
(Astrobiology Magazine) - The Licancabur Expedition has taken samples from world's highest lake to find out what's living in it.

Nov 04, 2002 | SCIENCE
Hot Springs High in the Andes
(Astrobiology Magazine) - Two members of the Licancabur expedition describe pockets of rich microbial life in the harsh desert.

Oct 29, 2002 | SCIENCE
Licancabur Expedition Journal: Part Two
(Astrobiology Magazine) - Astrobiologist Nathalie Cabrol reports stumbling upon the largest field of stromatolites she has ever seen.

Oct 21, 2002 | SCIENCE
What's Living in the World's Highest Lake?
(Astrobiology Magazine) - Astrobiologists have begun an expedition to a pond at the tip of a volcano.


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.

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