Currently, planet earth is the only planet know to support both plant and animal life. This is
because it has all the essentials that can support life. The Earth is located at a good distance from
the sun, and this ensures that it receives the correct amount of light and warmth. Sunlight is an
essential source of energy for both animals and plants. It provides energy for plants in the form
of sunlight that helps in photosynthesis. Through photosynthesis, plants make their food as well
as for the animals. Therefore, plants are the producers on earth. The earth is also protected from
excessive radiation. Most important, the earth has water which is a crucial component of life.
Research shows that most of the earth is covered by water. Plants form a very crucial part of the
earth`s life. They make food for the other organisms. They also make oxygen, one of the
materials they produce as the make their food. This gas must always be there for the plants and
animals to survive on Earth (Lincoln 27). All the oxygen gas available on earth comes from
plants during their photosynthesis. Plants also provide a home for the other animals.
Despite the abundance of life on Earth, scientists have been interested in finding the existence
of life on other planets other that on earth. For a long time, Mars has been attracting more
scientific interests, but currently, Jupiter has become the most likely planet to support life. To be
specific, Europa, which is one of the four moons found in Jupiter is a strange looking moon is the
largest among the four moons. One of the reasons why Europa can support life is that it has
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several essential components that support life. It has strong tidal heat that can keep Europa warm
inside to a level that it can have liquid water under a layer of ice. Therefore, this means that any
organic compound will be mobile and it will be able to interact with water. Pictures taken show
that the surface of Europa looks like a broken glass which is repaired by icy glue-like ice which
oozes from below. It has low ridges composed of a straight and curved surface. When scientists
studied Europa keenly, they found out that Europa`s density indicates that there is a shell of
water ice suggesting that some part of it could be liquid. Some models of this show that beneath
its 5km crust of water ice, it may have deep oceans. All these features indicate that there is a
mobile surface which is provided by liquid water (Waltham 20). Scientists believe that this water
exists below the surface because of the internal tidal heating caused by the gravitational
interaction between Europa and other Galillean moons (they are known as Galillean moons
because they were first discovered by Galileo).
Another planetoid suspected to support life in the solar system is a Titan, which is the largest
moon of Saturn. Its atmosphere is made up of nitrogen which contains less than one percent of
methane. Although Titan has cold temperatures, its atmospheric pressure is lighter than that of
earth. The atmosphere of Titan has a rich combination of organic molecules such as
ammonia/methane. Other combinations include hydrogen cyanide, a compound that synthesises
amino acids. All this evidence has made scientists belief that primitive forms of life might be
found in Titan although the low temperatures make the speculation week.
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Works cited
Waltham, David. Lucky Planet: Why Earth Is Exceptional – and What That Means for Life in the
Universe. , 2014. Internet resource.
Lincoln, Don. Alien Universe: Extraterrestrial Life in Our Minds and the Cosmos. , 2013.