Ocean Worlds: The Search for Life
- Support:
- Molly Wasser
- View full credits
NASA scientists discuss the search for life on the ocean worlds of our solar system and beyond.
Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel.
Universal Production Music: “Superluminal” by Lee Groves and Peter George Marett; “Earthrise,” “Prism Lights,” and “Uncertain Ahead” by Ben Niblett and Jon Cotton; “Infinite Sky” and “Human Architecture” by Andy Blythe and Marten Joustra; “Imagine If” by Paul Werner
Life as we know it requires three ingredients: energy, organic molecules, and liquid water. Our search for life beyond Earth is a search for planets, dwarf planets, and moons that harbor substantial liquid water. We call these places “ocean worlds.”
We’re learning that ocean worlds could be ubiquitous in the galaxy. Just in our solar system, we have found evidence of oceans on Saturn’s moons Titan and Enceladus; Jupiter’s moons Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto; Neptune’s moon Triton; and on Pluto. We also believe that Venus and Mars may have had oceans billions of years ago. Could they have supported life?
NASA’s research on oceans also includes our own planet and helps us to better understand the role of Earth’s ocean in our planet’s climate system. As we learn more about our own oceans, we will better understand worlds beyond Earth. Discover more about ocean worlds.
We’re learning that ocean worlds could be ubiquitous in the galaxy. Just in our solar system, we have found evidence of oceans on Saturn’s moons Titan and Enceladus; Jupiter’s moons Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto; Neptune’s moon Triton; and on Pluto. We also believe that Venus and Mars may have had oceans billions of years ago. Could they have supported life?
NASA’s research on oceans also includes our own planet and helps us to better understand the role of Earth’s ocean in our planet’s climate system. As we learn more about our own oceans, we will better understand worlds beyond Earth. Discover more about ocean worlds.
For More Information
See NASA.gov
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Animators
- Adriana Manrique Gutierrez (KBRwyle)
- Bailee DesRocher (USRA)
- Brian Monroe (USRA)
- Chris Smith (KBRwyle)
- Jennifer Lentz (HTSI)
- Jonathan North (KBRwyle)
- Lisa Poje (Freelance)
- Walt Feimer (KBRwyle)
Data visualizers
- Ernie Wright (USRA)
- Greg Bacon (STScI)
Graphic designer
- Declan McKenna (NASA/GSFC URAA)
Science writer
- Lonnie Shekhtman (ADNET)
Editors
- Dan Gallagher (KBRwyle)
- James Tralie (ADNET)
Interviewees
- Avi Mandell (NASA/GSFC)
- Carrie Anderson (NASA/GSFC)
- Lucas Paganini (NASA/HQ)
- Lynnae Quick (NASA/GSFC)
- Melissa Trainer (NASA/GSFC)
Producers
- Dan Gallagher (KBRwyle)
- James Tralie (ADNET)
Videographers
- John Caldwell (AIMM)
- Rob Andreoli (AIMM)
Social media support
- Molly Wasser (ADNET) [Lead]
Public affairs officer
- Nancy Neal-Jones (NASA/GSFC)
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