Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
cross_type 2.58 — strongly supporting 5 facts
NASA is related to Earth as it conducts scientific research on the planet's climate [1], studies its extremophiles to inform astrobiology [2], and manages planetary protection protocols to prevent back contamination of Earth from extraterrestrial materials {fact:3, fact:4}.
Facts (5)
Sources
Do Extremophiles on Earth Mean That Life Is Common in the Galaxy ... reasons.org 2 facts
claimNASA's astrobiology strategy involves identifying extraterrestrial environments that resemble the environments of known extremophiles on Earth.
quoteNASA senior astrobiologist Christopher McKay stated: 'The basic biochemical similarity of living things is one of the profound results of biology. The great diversity of life forms on Earth are really just morphological variations on a single fundamental biochemistry. . . . Not only do all organisms on Earth share the same basic genetic code, but they all show clear evidence, in this code, of shared descent.'
Read "Review and Assessment of Planetary Protection Policy ... nap.nationalacademies.org 2 facts
claimNASA defines "back contamination" as the control of contamination of the Earth and the Moon by extraterrestrial material collected and returned by robotic missions.
claimA false-positive result concerning a sample return from Mars would not constitute a hazard to Earth or Mars in planetary protection terms, but it could lead to restrictions on future activities on Mars and require assessment by NASA officials.
Isn't there a lot of disagreement among climate scientists about ... climate.gov 1 fact
claimNOAA, NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Research Council, and the Environmental Protection Agency have published reports and fact sheets stating that Earth is warming mainly due to the increase in human-produced heat-trapping gases.