Human beings have long looked up at the sky and wondered: Are we alone? Are there other creatures like us? Is there intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? The answers may soon be at hand. Already, some scientists believe they have found microscopic fossils and other signs of life in a Martian meteorite, while researchers with sensitive telescopes are constantly tuned to the stars, listening for radio signals and laser light messages that might be sent by intelligent extraterrestrials. Moreover, we know now that life forms can exist in environments previously believed to be inhospitable, lending credence to the notion that life could well exist on other planets or moons despite their being considerably different from Earth. Learn how planned missions to Mars and Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, could bring back exciting answers to the question of whether there is life elsewhere in the Universe.
