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Complex Life Found Under 600 Feet of Antarctic Ice

Posted by timothy on from the planted-by-von-braun-in-1967 dept.

Chroniton writes "NASA ice scientists have found a shrimp-like creature and a possible jellyfish 'frolicking' beneath 600 feet of solid Antarctic ice, where only microbes were expected to live. The odds of finding two complex lifeforms after drilling only an 8-inch-wide hole suggests there may be much more. And if such life is possible beneath Earth's oceans, why not elsewhere, like Europa?"

24 of 237 comments (clear)

  1. Oceans too by sopssa · · Score: 3, Insightful

    60% of the Earth is filled with oceans. In some parts they go down as much as Mount Everest goes up. That means over half of our planet is still not searched. Some of the found fishes in there are really weird as well and look like aliens.

    Imagine the land amount all those oceans would free if tried up.

    1. Re:Oceans too by MightyMartian · · Score: 3, Funny

      Sounds like an ideal place to build a secret base or lab.

      Then hold the world ransom for ONE... MILLION... DOLLARS!!!!!

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    2. Re:Oceans too by John+Hasler · · Score: 5, Insightful

      > Imagine the land amount all those oceans would free if dried up.

      Imagine all the land that would become uninhabitable if the oceans dried up.

      --
      Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
    3. Re:Oceans too by mrsteveman1 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Do the fish look like aliens, or do aliens look like fish?

    4. Re:Oceans too by Arimus · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "Some of the found fishes in there are really weird as well and look like aliens."

      How many aliens have you seen to confirm that the fish look like them?

      --
      --- Users are like bacteria -> Each one causing a thousand tiny crises until the host finally gives up and dies.
    5. Re:Oceans too by MrNaz · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'd provide a citation, but my source was taken away in the middle of the night by guys in a black van.

      --
      I hate printers.
  2. I doubt this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    A more likely explanation is that the samples were contaminated by the instruments. If we look in the Bible there is no mention that God made this lifeform, therefore the most logical explanation is contamination.

    Sorry to burst your bubble.

  3. Europa? by madpanic · · Score: 4, Funny

    I thought we were not allowed to explore Europa?

    1. Re:Europa? by nebaz · · Score: 3, Informative

      All these worlds are yours, except Europa. Attempt no landings there.

      This year, even.

      --
      Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds.There upon the rainbow is the answer to a neverending story
  4. The real question. by mosb1000 · · Score: 4, Funny

    How does it taste?

    1. Re:The real question. by Locke2005 · · Score: 4, Funny

      It tastes a lot like frozen chicken.

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  5. only problem by khallow · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And if such life is possible beneath Earth's oceans, why not elsewhere, like Europa?

    Because Europa is not Antarctica. We get it. Life can live in ice-covered oceans and it can even be complex. This is all idle speculation until someone actually probes Europa to see what's under there.

    1. Re:only problem by MozeeToby · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If you're going to point out that Europa is different from Antartica at least take the time to point out how it's different. Namely, the complex life in Antarctica evolved in different, more comfortable conditions. Complex life under hundreds of feet of ice on Earth says nothing about whether or not it's possible for life to begin or become complex in those conditions. It just says that once started, life is very adaptable.

    2. Re:only problem by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 3, Funny

      Life can live in ice-covered oceans and it can even be complex. This is all idle speculation until someone actually probes Europa to see what's under there.

      I just had this image in my head of humans building a colony on Mars, then ET's come by and say "Whoah! This means sentient life could have evolved on barren worlds like Mars!"

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    3. Re:only problem by johncadengo · · Score: 4, Informative

      If you're going to point out that Europa is different from Antartica at least take the time to point out how it's different. Namely, the complex life in Antarctica evolved in different, more comfortable conditions. Complex life under hundreds of feet of ice on Earth says nothing about whether or not it's possible for life to begin or become complex in those conditions. It just says that once started, life is very adaptable.

      But did life really begin in such "comfortable" conditions? I don't think its too far-fetched to imagine most life beginning in even less habitable conditions than it currently thrives in.

      Natural selection seems to suggest that life must be more robust than the pressures of its environment, and that life only becomes less robust if it can afford to do so. Not the other way around.

      --
      My page.
    4. Re:only problem by DigiShaman · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Some say that life on Earth started (and evolved) around hydrothermal vents where there is no sunlight. The get their energy through a process known as chemosynthesis. If true, life on any ocean bearing planet could become common if not expected. Going to Europa will change those odds one way or another.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
  6. There is a misspelling... by Sique · · Score: 5, Informative

    The amphipod is actually a Lysianassid, not a Lyssianasid, if someone tries to google it :)

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    .sig: Sique *sigh*
    1. Re:There is a misspelling... by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 5, Funny

      The amphipod is actually a Lysianassid, not a Lyssianasid, if someone tries to google it :)

      You know, you'd get a lot more points in Scrabble if you'd just learn to shut your yap!

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

  7. Life under Antarctic ice? This sounds familiar... by Tumbleweed · · Score: 3, Funny

    Get out your torches, and somebody call Kurt Russell, quick!

  8. Europa by schnitzi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    >And if such life is possible beneath Earth's oceans, why not elsewhere, like Europa?

    Because saying life can survive somewhere is different than saying it can evolve somewhere.

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    I object to that article, and to the next reply.
  9. Geography issues? by freaker_TuC · · Score: 3, Funny

    And if such life is possible beneath Earth's oceans, why not elsewhere, like Europa?

    Yeah, we Europeans are living elsewhere but Earth. We feel more attached to our universe like that...

    --
    --- I am known for the ones who want to find me on the net. Is that a privacy risk or a privilege? One might wonder..
  10. Not likely by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've looked - yes it's damn cold, but I didn't find any signs of complex life.

    (Ps: You misspelt Europe)

  11. Lots of life in the Antarctic - if you look for it by Alan+R+Light · · Score: 3, Informative

    This doesn't surprise me too much. The SCINI Project has been finding neat stuff for some time now, even while they were just testing their equipment.

    Microbes have even been found living in the ice of the polar plateau (at constant temperatures around -50C).

    And check out Anoxycalyx Joubini (Volcano Sponge), some specimens of which are thought to be 15,000 years old and still living. These are animals that make those Sequoia look like juveniles.

  12. Re:Plato on the moon? by amirulbahr · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think you are confusing skills acquired with biological adaptations.