"What kingdom, phylum, subphylum, class order, family, genus, and species are humans in?"
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Question
What scientific instruments on board space craft could be used to examine if a planet, or moon could sustain life and how would they do it?
Determining whether is planet could sustain life -- its habitability -- is not easy. At the simplest level, astronomers can measure the size of the planet, its surface temperature (which needs to be in the range where liquid water can exist), and its atmospheric composition. With orbiter spacecraft we can make more detailed studies of the atmosphere and can look directly for evidence of liquid water. A lander, such as the current Mars Exploration Rovers, can obtain a much closer look, can measure surface conditions (such as weather), and can analyze the composition of the atmosphere and of individual rocks. All of this information is useful in trying to decide if there are habitable environments. In addition, however, we need to know the range of conditions that life can tolerate -- and this is not really possible for unknown, extraterrestrial life. Thus, we don't know enough today about life itself to really answer the question you pose about whether a planet of moon could sustain life.
David Morrison
NAI Senior Scientist
August 6, 2004
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