Missions to the Outer Solar System

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Across
  1. 1. Used by scientists to analyze light from stars and planets to detect the presence of specific molecules.
  2. 8. A key focus in the search for life in our solar system due to evidence of past liquid water.
  3. 11. Planets that orbit stars outside of our solar system.
  4. 12. The region around a star where conditions might be right for liquid water to exist.
  5. 14. Studying this helps scientists understand conditions under which life first arose on Earth.
  6. 15. Organisms that thrive in extreme conditions, suggesting life could exist in similar environments elsewhere.
  7. 17. One of Jupiter’s moons, considered a candidate for life due to its subsurface ocean.
  8. 18. A formula used to estimate the number of active, communicative extraterrestrial civilizations.
  9. 22. The study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.
  10. 24. Underwater fissures emitting hot, mineral-rich water, potentially providing the energy needed for life’s origin.
  11. 25. The U.S. agency that coordinates research and missions focused on understanding life’s potential in the universe.
  12. 27. A moon of Saturn with geysers that suggest a subsurface ocean possibly harboring life.
  13. 28. These moons of outer planets may have subsurface oceans protected from harsh surface conditions.
Down
  1. 2. Carbon-containing molecules that are the building blocks of life.
  2. 3. Understanding the diversity and adaptability of this provides models for the search for life elsewhere.
  3. 4. Chemical elements, isotopes, or molecules that indicate the presence of past or present life.
  4. 5. These include vast distances, harsh environments, and difficulty in detecting subtle signs of life.
  5. 6. Another term for the habitable zone, where conditions are "just right" for liquid water.
  6. 7. A method used to detect exoplanets by observing the dimming of a star as a planet passes in front of it.
  7. 9. Studied to provide clues about the early solar system and potential precursors to life.
  8. 10. Indicators such as specific gases or molecules that suggest the presence of life on a planet.
  9. 13. These can provide clues about the potential for life, such as the presence of gases like oxygen or methane.
  10. 16. Considered essential for life because it facilitates chemical reactions necessary for biological processes.
  11. 19. Referring to life that exists outside of Earth.
  12. 20. Robotic vehicles like those on Mars that analyze the surface for signs of past or present life.
  13. 21. Saturn’s largest moon, with a thick atmosphere and lakes of liquid methane.
  14. 23. The hypothesis that life can travel between planets and moons, possibly seeding life on Earth.
  15. 26. A space telescope designed to find Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of other stars.