Life in the Universe

Life in Our Solar System

Where in the solar system do the chemicals to support life exist?

Almost every solar system body has embedded within it the chemical elements necessary for the formation of life as we know it. This is probably because those elements—chiefly hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen—are among the most common elements in the universe. Places especially rich in these chemicals include the atmospheres of the gas giant planets; the surfaces of Earth, Mars, and Titan; and possibly deep underground on Europa and Ganymede.



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