鈥淎ll these worlds are yours. Except Europa. Attempt no landing there.鈥� So warned the protectors of life on Jupiter鈥檚 icy moon in 2010: Odyssey Two, by Arthur C. Clarke.
The novel鈥檚 omnipotent aliens are adamant that the life forms inhabiting Europa鈥檚 oceans should be left to evolve without interference.
The prospect of finding extraterrestrial life on Europa has inspired real scientists to plan ambitious 鈥� and expensive 鈥� missions. But they, too, are cautious about landing. The risk of contamination is very real: no one wants to introduce earthly bugs to a pristine environment.
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Now the discovery that Europa is emitting plumes that could be checked for biomarkers offers a tantalising alternative (see 鈥�Water plumes spark a race to Jupiter moon Europa鈥�). Perhaps we can detect life without attempting a landing at all.
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淓T: off limits but within reach鈥�
