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Science of the Springs

Explore the link between Yellowstone hot springs and extraterrestrial life, studying extremophiles and early Earth conditions to answer life's fundamental questions. Discover how microbes shape astrobiology's exploration of habitability beyond Earth's bounds.

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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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