Some scientists are trying to find the origins of life on Earth by simulating prebiotic situations at hydrothermal vents, like this “black smoker” within the Pacific Ocean.
Ralph White/Getty Photos
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Ralph White/Getty Photos
Some scientists are trying to find the origins of life on Earth by simulating prebiotic situations at hydrothermal vents, like this “black smoker” within the Pacific Ocean.
Ralph White/Getty Photos
How did life begin on Earth? The reply is an enormous scientific thriller scientists are actively investigating. After speaking with many scientists, host Regina G. Barber discovered that an abundance of water on Earth is most probably key, not directly, to the origin of life — particularly, in both deep sea hydrothermal vents or in tide swimming pools. It is for that reason some scientists are additionally exploring the potential for all times in so-called “water worlds” elsewhere within the photo voltaic system, like among the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. This episode, Regina digs into two water-related hypotheses for the origin on life on Earth — and what that would possibly imply for attainable alien life.
Have one other scientific thriller you need us to cowl on a future episode? Electronic mail us at shortwave@npr.org — we would function your thought on a future episode!
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This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and fact-checked by Tyler Jones. The audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez.
