Impact of Exploration |
#1 |
The process of forming a hypothesis, testing through observations, analyzing data, and forming educated conclusions is known as this |
What is the scientific method? |
#2 |
The orbiter spacecraft originally intended to take detailed images and accurate measurements of atmospheric conditions and light spectra in space is known as |
What is Cassini? |
#3 |
Cassini has detected the presence of many life supporting molecules including… (name at least two) |
What are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, molecular nitrogen, propane, acetylene, formaldehyde, and traces of ammonia? |
#4 |
Scientists are hoping to measure the amount of this type of gas in Enceladus' plume |
What is hydrogen? |
#5 |
Chemical reactions in hydrothermal vents at the bottom of Enceladus’ oceans give scientists information about |
What is the amount of generated energy and heat? |
Missed Opportunities |
#1 |
One of Saturn's moon, Europa, may have the potential for life due to this |
What is a subsurface ocean? |
#2 |
This sister planet of Earth is considered by some as the true genesis, where our biochemical ancestors first lived |
What is Mars? |
#3 |
Traces of water on Mars exist in the form of these key observations (name one) |
What are "blueberries", lack of small craters and evidence of erosion in large craters, and streaks of damp sand? |
#4 |
This is the name of Saturn's largest moon and the only one in our solar system with a thick atmosphere |
What is Titan? |
#5 |
Titan's surface lakes are made of this chemical compound |
What is liquid methane? |
Expect the Unexpected |
#1 |
Our laws of physics are sculpted into unique forms by these criteria |
What are time and circumstances? |
#2 |
Life takes hold quickly given the right conditions, made evident by the presence of life on Earth as early as |
What is 4.1 billion years ago? |
#3 |
This twin-spacecraft odyssey taught us that no moon or world encountered was the same |
What are the Voyager missions? |
#4 |
Assuming life outside of Earth may take various forms, these few examples of differences may help us to more easily accept the possibility of its existence (name one) |
What are differences in size, shape, color, composition, and required atmosphere? |
#5 |
Using this range of wavelengths between 400-700 nm may not be the only way to detect unknown microbes in our solar system |
What is visible light? |
Aliens! |
#1 |
Attempting to find, capture, and study microbes in our solar system would have this monetary effect |
What is high/costly? |
#2 |
Discovering living organisms in our solar system would entail space exploration through launching these general types of machinery |
What is big and complicated pieces of hardware? |
#3 |
Contrary to popular belief, launching microbe finding instruments into our solar system would help our economy by |
What is providing jobs (for engineers, scientists, accountants, electricians, programmers, and experts in crafts not yet invented)? |
#4 |
According to author Dennis Overbye, one of two possible outcomes of searching for life in our solar system may lead to the discovery of this happy ending |
What is that we are not alone and the cosmos is more diverse than we ever expected? |
#5 |
According to author Dennis Overbye, one of two possible outcomes of searching for life in our solar system may lead to the discovery of this tragic ending |
What is that we are alone? (“deafening silence”) |