Alien Life On Jupiter Moon Europa A 'Racing Certainty', Leading UK Scientist Says

Is there life in other places in our solar system? According to a leading British space scientist, it is likely that there is life beneath the ice on Jupiter’s moon, Europa.

‘Racing Certainty’

“When it comes to the prospects of life beyond Earth, it's almost a racing certainty that there's life beneath the ice on Europa,” leading space scientist Monica Grady said, speaking at Liverpool Hope University where she is now the Chancellor.

Europa, as we know it, is covered by a layer of ice up to 15 miles deep and it is likely that there is water underneath the ice. Because of the thickness of the ice, the water where life could be thriving is protected from asteroid impacts and solar radiation.

Similarly, Professor Grady said that potential life on Mars would likely be found under the surface where they can be protected from intense solar radiation but she notes that the life we may find on Mars will likely be small like bacteria. On Europa, however, she thinks that life forms could be significantly more complex.

“But I think we've got a better chance of having slightly higher forms of life on Europa, perhaps similar to the intelligence of an octopus,” Professor Grady said.

Alien Life

According to Professor Grady, it is quite likely that there is life in other places in the Milky Way, especially considering that humans have yet to explore all of the stars in our vast galaxy. Further, she thinks it is “highly likely” that the life we may find, whether in the Milky Way or beyond it, will be made of the same elements as we are.

However, the question of whether we will ever be able to make contact is still on the table and, she notes that there are, so far, no real or credible alien “signals” ever received from space. For now, space agencies are working on finding potential signs of life on Europa and Mars and, even working on eventually sending humans to Mars.

Despite the curiosity and the ardent efforts to search for life in our solar system and beyond, Professor Grady still has her eyes set on the very planet we are living in.

“We could be all there is in the galaxy. And if there's only us, then we have a duty to protect the planet,” she said. “And even if there are octopuses on Europa, that doesn't give us a reason to destroy our planet.”