what is the most likely place in the solar system besides earth to support life is?

Answer 1

Europa

Answer 2

Europa ties with Mars; liquid water ocean under her ice crust, organics and an energy source (geothermal). We should be looking a lot closer at Europa... but Mars is much easier to get to. Next I would say Enceladus, a tiny moon of Saturn, which also has the 3 requirements... probably. Ganymede and Callisto have oceans 100 miles under the ice crust surface... but what energy sources?

A long shot would be Titan although its pretty cold there; it would have to be "life as we don't know it" and use something else besides water as a liquid solvent. The dark horses would be Venus (in the clouds 50 miles up) and Io which has a lot of energy sources; again life as we don't know it.

And there is always the Jovian planets which have huge atmospheres with clouds that have Earth-like conditions of temperature and pressure.. but can life form in a gas or does it need a liquid (ocean)? I suspect life is pretty much everywhere there is (1) liquid water (2) organic carbon-based chemistry happening (food) and (3) an energy source life can utilize for metabolism.

Answer 3

Europa's most likely to currently support life. Mars may be more likely to have supported life in the past

Answer 4

For the past ten years, NASA has been studying ways to put astronauts on Mars. The problem... it would be a two year journey, and getting astronauts mentally and physically ready would be an awesome task. Look at the Space Station... very close quarters for long periods of time, but they do get relief from supply space ships. Look to Mars for the next stop; the moon is history.

Answer 5

One of the moons of Jupiter. Most likely Europa.

Watch "2010" It's a really good movie that involves that idea.

Answer 6

Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. Or Mars.

Answer 7

I would say Mars

Answer 8

It's Mars. duh