Are we alone in the universe? Most probably not, but the universe is old and big, and the other life forms may be very far away in space and time, so for the moment we don't know how alone you are. Some people may feel lonely but that's another story.
Scientists have been captivated by the mysterious activity beneath Europa’s frozen surface, eventually discovering that the outer solar system harbors multiple ice-covered worlds with subsurface oceans. But could these alien oceans support life? Only time will tell, and we have to wait for a few years for Europa Clipper results and lots of other years for intelligent life outside Earth. While the search for life on Mars focuses on ancient, fossilized life forms, Europa and Enceladus could host extant life - living organisms thriving beneath their icy crusts.
The Startalk conversation shifts to Titan, a moon with liquid methane lakes, and the possibility of methane-based life, and the discussion chapters are the following.
- 00:00 - Introduction: Kevin Hand at JPL
- 01:40 - Why Europa?
- 05:26 - Contingent & Convergent evolution on other worlds
- 09:24 - Life beyond the “habitable zone”
- 14:05 - Can a liquid besides water sustain life?
- 24:04 - The Europa Clipper Mission
- 32:33 - How life could be sustained on Europa
