Scientists have long studied the possibility of life existing beyond Earth. They believe that if water is present on a planet, some form of plant life may be able to survive there. Venus and Mars are two planets that scientists think may have supported life in the past or present, due to evidence like water detected on Mars. Scientists are also using new techniques like interferometry to search for potentially habitable planets around other stars, believing that at least one such exoplanet must support some form of life. The author argues that with ongoing technological advances, discovery of extra-terrestrial life seems achievable.

1. Jennifer Gohlke
February 5, 2010
Science A1
For many years, scientists have been researching life outside of Earth. They believe that if water
appears on the planet, there is a possibility that life could exist there. Not necessarily humans or aliens,
but plant life. Astronomy as it’s known would drastically change if scientists discovered this life. There
would be so much more to learn—especially if contact with these extra-terrestrial creatures could be
made.
Scientists believe that life could have lived on Venus four billion years ago; the sun was forty
percent less luminous, which would have made it easier for life to survive. Venus could have been the
first inner planet to have warm oceans and a mild climate. Scientists also think that life from Earth could
have evolved from Venus because pieces of the planet could have frequently blasted off of each other in
the early solar system.
Another planet that scientists are investigating for possible life is Mars. This is one of the planets
that is most suspected to have intelligent life, along with Jupiter. Scientists have been constantly
researching Mars for some evidence of living plants and creatures. They think that it is possible for life
on Mars because the planet could be in the habitable zone; an area in space where life could exist.
Earth is in this zone, which is why life is sustained. When a possible water streak was found on Mars,
scientists had more hopes that there could be life.
Scientists are not just studying our solar system; they are planning on using interferometry to
find planets inside habitable zones of other solar systems. Interferometry uses lasers to locate these
planets. Astronomers believe that there are hundreds of solar systems with thousands of planets. This
leads scientists to believe at least one of these could have intelligent life.
Based on my research, I do think there could be life on other planets, especially in other solar
systems. I think life in other solar systems could be found with today’s technology. There is not as much
information known about these planets as there is about the Milky Way galaxy. With the latest advances
in technology and space exploration, I believe scientists could actually find a solar system identical to
the Milky Way. I’m not sure that the life would be intelligent, but I do think there could be life.
Hopefully, sometime in the near future, scientists will discover something new and exciting in or beyond
our galaxy. Knowing about other life could help scientists learn about other planets, or even solar
systems. Maybe, at this moment, somewhere out in space there is some other life form looking for
intelligent creatures other than its own. This other life form could be thinking the same thing as Earth’s
scientists are right now; how interesting, exciting, and helpful it would be to discover another life form.
Works Cited

2. Jennifer Gohlke
February 5, 2010
Science A1
2007, the ESA's Venus Express probe in. "Life on Venus?." SolStation.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.solstation.com/life/ven-life.htm>.
"Alan Boss says universe could be crowded with Earth-like planets | EarthSky." Earth Sky, A clear voice
for science: The World's Top Scientists Heard 15 Million Times a Day.. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan.
2010. <http://www.earthsky.org/interviewpost/space/the-search-for-earth-like-planets>.
Kleefman, Mark. "Could life exist on discovered extra-solar planets?." Astro.rug.nl. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb.
2010. <www.astro.rug.nl/~onderwys/sterIIproject97/kleefman/index.html#Discovered planets>.
Moskowitz, Clara. "New hope for intelligent life on other planets - Space.com- msnbc.com." Breaking
News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports, Politics, Travel, Science, Technology,
Local, US & World News- msnbc.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2010.
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32403430/ns/technology_and_science-space/>.
"Life and other planets - Learning - need2know." need2know - advice on student life,
relationships, travel and more! . N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.need2know.co.uk/learning/school_stuff/article.html/id=1569>.
"Life on Other Planets." Universe Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2010.
<http://www.universetoday.com/guide-to-space/the-solar-system/life-on-other-planets/>.
"Robert Hazen says there may be many other living worlds | EarthSky." Earth Sky, A clear voice for
science: The World's Top Scientists Heard 15 Million Times a Day.. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2010.
<http://www.earthsky.org/interviewpost/space/why-is-earth-the-only-planet-with-living-
things>.