Extraterrestrial life[n 1] is life that does not originate from Earth.

It is als
o called alien life, or, if it is a sentient and/or relatively complex individua
l, an "extraterrestrial" or "alien" (or, to avoid confusion with the legal sense
of "alien", a "space alien"). These as-yet-hypothetical life forms range from s
imple bacteria-like organisms to beings with civilizations far more advanced tha
n humanity. Although many scientists expect extraterrestrial life to exist, ther
e is no unambiguous evidence for its existence so far.[1][2] The science of extr
aterrestrial life is known as exobiology.
The science of astrobiology considers life on Earth as well, and in the broader
astronomical context. In 2015, "remains of biotic life" were found in 4.1 billio
n-year-old rocks in Western Australia, when the young Earth was about 400 millio
n years old.[3][4] According to one of the researchers, "If life arose relativel
y quickly on Earth, then it could be common in the universe."[3]
Since the mid-20th century, there has been an ongoing search for signs of extrat
errestrial intelligence, from radios used to detect possible extraterrestrial si
gnals, to telescopes used to search for potentially habitable extrasolar planets
.[5] It has also played a major role in works of science fiction. Over the years
, science fiction works, especially Hollywood's involvement, has increased the p
ublic's interest in the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Some encourage agg
ressive methods to try to get in contact with life in outer space, whereas other
s argue that it might be dangerous to actively call attention to Earth.[6][7]
Contents [hide]
1
Background
2
Possible basis
2.1
Biochemistry
3
Planetary habitability in the Solar System
3.1
Mars
3.2
Ceres
3.3
Jupiter system
3.3.1 Jupiter
3.3.2 Europa
3.4
Saturn system
3.4.1 Enceladus
3.4.2 Titan
3.5
Small Solar System bodies
4
Scientific search
4.1
Direct search
4.2
Indirect search
4.3
Extrasolar planets
5
The Drake equation
6
Cultural impact
6.1
Cosmic pluralism
6.2
Early modern period
6.3
19th century
6.4
20th century
6.5
Recent history
7
See also
8
Notes
9
References
10
Further reading
11
External links
Background[edit]
Nature timeline
discuss
edit
view
-13 -12
-11
-10
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-8 -7
-6 -5
-4 -3
-2 -1
0
cosmic expansion
Earliest light
cosmic speed-up
Solar System
water

Simple life
photosynthesis
Complex life
Land life
Earliest gravity
?
Earliest universe
(-13.8)
?
Earliest galaxy
?
Earliest quasar
?
Omega Centauri forms
?
Andromeda Galaxy forms
?
Milky Way Galaxy
spiral arms form
?
North Star forms
?
Alpha Centauri forms
?
Earliest Earth
(-4.54)
?
Earliest life
?
Earliest oxygen
?
Atmospheric oxygen
?
Earliest sexual reproduction
?
Earliest land life
?
Earliest humans
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F
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P
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M
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See also: Planetary habitability and Habitability of natural satellites

Some bodies in the Solar System have the potential for an environment in which e
xtraterrestrial life can live, particularly those with possible subsurface ocean
s.[30] Should life be discovered elsewhere in the Solar System, astrobiologists
suggest that it will more likely be in the form of extremophile microorganisms.
Mars may have niche subsurface environme