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Science of the Springs

Science of the Springs. Astrobiology in Yellowstone National Park. What is Astrobiology?. Astro : stars, universe + Biology: the study of life New field of science: combines geology, biology, chemistry, astronomy 3 main questions How did life begin? Are we alone?

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Science of the Springs

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  1. Science of the Springs Astrobiology in Yellowstone National Park

  2. What is Astrobiology? Astro: stars, universe + Biology: the study of life • New field of science: combines geology, biology, chemistry, astronomy • 3 main questions • How did life begin? • Are we alone? • What is the future of life on Earth and beyond?

  3. Yellowstone Hot Springs and Extraterrestrial Life: What’s the connection? • : Environments as analogs • Early Earth • Extrasolar planets Limits of life • Habitability • Extremophiles

  4. Extremophiles Tiny, extreme-loving microbes • Bacteria & Archaea • Microbes are found EVERYWHERE on Earth. • Extremophiles when extreme! • Yellowstone is one of the best places to study extremophiles. • Variety and accessible

  5. Where can we find life? • exceedingly hot • in below-freezing temperatures • dry deserts • very acidic • deep underground • at the bottom of the ocean • other planets?

  6. How is Yellowstone like early Earth? • Bacteria • Iron-Sulfur: Pyrite • Around 3.5 billion years ago: only rocks, gases, water, and HOT temperatures • First life to emerge: microbes • Iron-sulfur compounds • Bacteria and pyrite from: www.thinkstockphotos.com

  7. Where in Yellowstone are scientists doing research? • Norris Hot Springs: Acidic and Toxic Metals Similar to early Earth • Old Faithful: No Oxygen or LightMethanogens • Grand Prismatic: Photosynthetic MicrobesMicrobial Mats • Mammoth Hot Spings: LimestoneBiosignatures

  8. Why are microbes so important to astrobiology? • Microbial Mat • Images from: microscope.mbl.edu • First life on Earth • Relatively simple • Very hardy

  9. What is habitability? • Where can life live? • Habitability is the potential for an environment to develop and sustain life. • Extremophiles broaden our definition of habitable. • Determining habitability in the solar system and universe

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