People: Astrobiology Graduate Student Directory

Steve Vance
Earth & Space Sciences

Solar system exploration continues to generate new insights into planetary processes. Improved astronomical instrumentation is bringing humankind closer to being able to observe other solar systems at various stages in their histories. Soon we will have a much better idea of how common our solar system is in the universe. As a planetary geophysicist, I find intrinsic value in understanding the physical processes that created the solar system as we know it today. As an astrobiologist, I understand that technology may soon enable the discovery of extraterrestrial life in much the same way the invention of the microscope enabled the discovery of bacteria in the late 17th century.

My research pertains chiefly to Jupiter's moon, Europa, which very likely has a liquid water ocean presently under its icy surface, potentially as deep as Earth's atmosphere is high. At some time in the past, if not now, that ocean may also have been a haven for life. That possibility hinges on many unknown factors: Is Europa's ocean too acidic or too basic, or its waters too dilute to support life? Are the available nutrients and modest energy inputs to Europa enough to support even modest ecosystems? If so, can they be transported through the vast depths of the ocean? I try to address these questions by simulating Europa's ocean chemistry in the laboratory, and by applying theoretical models to fluid circulation in a deep ocean.

Publications

S. Vance, 2005. Exploration & Characterization of Europa. In Astrobiology Primer, for the 2005 NASA Astrobiology Intstitute Conference.

S. Vance, J.M. Brown, 2005. Layering and Double-Diffusion Style Convection in Europa's Ocean. Icarus 177, 506-514.

S. Vance, J. Harnmeijer , and J. M. Brown, 2005. Serpentinization-Driven Systems in the Seafloors of Icy Moons, Eos Trans. AGU, 86(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract P51D-0970.