Being in the habitable zone, Earth has ALL the right conditions for a diversity of life. Intelligent life Able to question our own place in the universe in which we belong. We share emotions, actions and experiences. We are experts at communicating using the speed of light Although intelligent, we are still creatures governed and limited by our environments LIFE IS RESILIENT but how did it get here? PANSPERMIA ABIOGENESIS Abiogenesis Theory states that living cells arose gradually from nonliving matter through a series of chemical reactions. Panspermia Theory states that Earth was seeded with life when celestial objects collided with the Earth. The Habitable Zone General concept referring to a region of space where conditions are sufficient to sustain life Habitable Zone AKA the Goldilocks Zone LIFE IS RESILIENT but how did it get here? PANSPERMIA ABIOGENESIS Cavern of Crystal Giants Crystal Palace Cavers in Mexico confront extreme conditions and find extraordinary beauty Special suits packed with ice keep the cavers body temperature safe for only a few minutes, the cave is 112 F and 95% humidity. Extremophiles Life is found on Earth in environments NOT expected to harbor life. Acidophiles - Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, CO Death Valley California Xerophile Thrives in regions that are extremely hot, dry, desiccating conditions Antarctic hypoliths are extremophiles. They have adapted to the most severe conditions no other life can handle, they thrive inside rocks in cold deserts. Astrobiology Branch field of astronomy where scientists contemplate, theorize, experiment and look for life in space. Ex. Mars, Project Stardust, Moon, Gliese 581C So, if life is found in extreme environments on Earth, Is there anywhere else in our solar system, galaxy, or the universe that might harbor life?