Searching for alien life... in the Mid-Atlantic!

Extremophile life forms are of great interest to exo-biologists, as they give useful clues as to the possible range of conditions that might support life. One absolute necessity is energy in some form or other. On Earth, the Sun powers plants which in turn are metabolized by animals to provide their energy. But what about planets that are too far from the Sun but otherwise have the raw materials for life? Titan, say, or perhaps even layers within the dense atmospheres of the giant planets themselves?

A team of scientists is about to undertake a project that just might help us to understand how life might exist under these alien conditions... and they're looking in our own Atlantic Ocean!

Undiscovered 'alien' life forms that thrive without sunlight in temperatures approaching boiling point may soon come to light thanks to a groundbreaking Irish-led marine research mission aboard the national research vessel RV Celtic Explorer. In collaboration with scientists from the UK's National Oceanography Centre, the researchers are due to sail from Galway for the mid-Atlantic Ridge July 13. The voyage is being filmed for the National Geographic Channel for inclusion in an upcoming series about the ocean.

The mission, led by Dr. Andy Wheeler of University College, Cork (UCC), will be investigating life at 3,000 metres below the surface of the sea on the '45o North MAR hydrothermal vent field' using the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Holland 1. These vents, which spew mineral rich seawater heated to boiling point by volcanic material in Earth's crust below, are home to a rich variety of marine life that thrives in complete darkness on bacteria fed by chemicals.

Science Daily

Is it possible that they will discover new strains of organisms that get their energy from heat itself?

I've always been curious to find out what was buried beneath the ice, land, and water. I'm really looking forward to the results that they find!

Star and Flag, mate.