2002 Annual Science Report
Carnegie Institution of Washington Reporting | JUL 2001 – JUN 2002
Executive Summary
The traditional view of life’s origin on Earth is that it began where atmosphere and oceans meet, where sunlight could drive life’s processes. But there is another, and astrobiologically exciting, possibility. Cracks along deep ocean floors spew out water heated to more than 350oC by magma welling up beneath Earth’s mantle. That environment, primarily the product of bacteria, supports a thriving ecosystem that flourishes in timeless darkness. Life’s energy is derived chemically from dissolved nutrients. If scientists are right about this alternative theory of life’s origins, it means that the search for other planets in other star systems potentially capable of supporting life would no longer be limited to those with surface water.
The Carnegie Institution of Washington team is studying the physical, chemical, and biological evolution of hydrothermal systems, including vent complexes associated with ocean ridges, deep aquifers, and other subsurface aqueous ... Continue reading.
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Sean Solomon
NAI, ASTEP, ASTID, Exobiology -
TEAM Active Dates:
7/1998 - 10/2003 CAN 1 -
Members:
55 (See All) - Visit Team Page
Project Reports
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Studies of Organic Matter and Water in Meteorites
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 8.0 9.0 11.0 -
Hydrothermal Organic Synthesis
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 2.0 3.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 11.0 13.0 -
Theoretical Studies of Hydrothermal Synthesis Reactions
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 2.0 3.0 5.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 -
Studies in Planetary Formation and Evolution
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 8.0 9.0 11.0 12.0 -
A New Molecular Recognition Instrument for Astrobiological Applications
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 2.0 6.0 9.0 -
Biological Studies of Hydrothermal Systems
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 2.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 12.0 14.0 -
Isotopic and Molecular Tracers of Life
ROADMAP OBJECTIVES: 1.0 3.0 5.0 6.0 8.0 9.0 11.0 14.0 16.0
Publications
- There are no publications for this team in the 2002 annual report.
2002 Teams
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Arizona State University
Carnegie Institution of Washington
Harvard University
Marine Biological Laboratory
Michigan State University
NASA Ames Research Center
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA Johnson Space Center
Pennsylvania State University
Scripps Research Institute
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Rhode Island
University of Washington
Virtual Planetary Laboratory (JPL/CalTech)