Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. (1)______________________. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form. In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter. Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. (2)___________________________. Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form. A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lying at the bottom of Europa’s ocean. They may have already created life, or maybe about to. You may wonder if light is also need for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential. But now, (3)______________________________. And bacteria, primitive forms of life have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa’s subsurface ocean doesn’t automatically rule out life forming.
