Each of us is made up of atoms that were once part of an exploding star. This includes atoms of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen - some of the main ingredients needed for the origin of life. Over billions of years, these atoms condense, creating clouds of gas, new stars and planets. This means that all the same particles of life are scattered throughout the universe.
Moreover, a number of recent discoveries may indicate the existence of an extraterrestrial civilization right in our solar system. Thus, the question no longer stands as "Is there another life in space?" Now scientists prefer to talk not about the reality of aliens, but about the time when we will finally meet them.
Water on Mars
A team of scientists have proven that at least one-fifth of the red planet was completely covered by the actual H20 itself. All the signs of life that most likely existed in the ocean can be found deep in the sands of Mars. Interestingly, life on Earth originated around the time when the last lakes on Mars dried up.
Footprints in the sand
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Just two years ago, the Curiosity probe discovered traces of nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and carbon beneath the surface of Mars. In 2014, NASA published a report that indicated the presence of organic compounds found by the probe. All this shows that, most likely, there really was life on Mars.
Asteroids and comets
Scientists consider asteroids and comets to be a key factor in the origin of life on our planet. In particular, comets, according to a report published in August, brought amino acids to Earth, without which the development of any organisms would be impossible. Given the abundance of comets in space, chances are they could do the same for another planet.
Jupiter's moon
Jupiter's tiny moon, Europa, is covered in small rifts. Astronomers are sure: this is an indicator of the places where the water went into the satellite's crust. This is why NASA is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in future flight projects, hoping to discover life beneath Europa's surface.
Satellite of Saturn
Enceladus has the same prospects - a little earlier this month, scientists confirmed that an ocean is hidden under the ice shell of this giant. If so, then Enceladus is an ideal place to develop life.
Strange objects
In addition to the already confirmed data on Enceladus and Europe, scientists suspect the presence of water on a dozen other small objects in our solar system. The problem is the same here: water can be hidden under the planet's mantle.
Titan Surprise
In addition, Saturn's largest moon, Titan, is the only object in the solar system with lakes on the surface. Here, however, a life similar to ours cannot arise, since these lakes do not consist of water, but of liquid titanium. However, earlier this year, scientists at Cornell Research Center proved that life can also exist on an oxygen-free methane base.
Out of sight
It is quite possible that life, nevertheless, can arise only in conditions similar to those on earth. This will mean only one thing: the only chance to detect aliens exists only outside the solar system. Last July, scientists discovered an extremely Earth-like planet, 1,400 light-years away. Its size, orbit, sun, and even age completely match our conditions. Thus, there is no difficulty in the origin of life on the surface of this planet.
Where are the aliens?
Many people quite reasonably ask: since there are extraterrestrial civilizations, then why have we not heard about them yet. Astronomers have an answer to this question too. The fact is that the Milky Way is not the most suitable place for the origin of life. But several other galaxies already discovered may, presumably, contain more than 10,000 Earth-like planets.
Seeds of Life
We and everything around us is created from heavy atoms, born as a result of explosions of supermassive stars. This not only connects us to the entire universe, but also highlights the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The famous astrophysicist Neil de Grasse Tyson, whose recent work on this topic has become a real hit among the scientific community, is at least certain of this.