Which of the following Solar System objects is NOT a good candidate for future searches for life?
A) Mars, because it once had liquid water on the surface
B) Jupiter's moon Europa, because it appears to have liquid water under its frozen surface
C) Saturn's moon Titan, because it has an atmosphere containing many organic molecules
D) Pluto, because a large portion of it is made of water ice
E) Saturn's moon Enceladus, because its cryovolcanoes indicate that it has liquid water under the surface

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pluto is not considered a good candidate for future searches for life because it is too cold (temperatures can dip below -370°F) to support liquid water, which is a necessary ingredient for life as we know it. Additionally, it has a very thin atmosphere and is far from the Sun, receiving only a small fraction of the heat and energy needed to sustain life.

Which of the Following Solar System Objects Is NOT a Good