Science Today: Life Found Under Antarctic Ice

Summary of Article: For the first time ever, scientists have found life (bacteria) living in the freezing dark waters under Antarctica's ice. Click here for article.

Map: Where is Antarctica?

Discussion Outline for Kids:

• Antarctica is the coldest place on earth. The land is mostly land and lakes with ice covering the lakes. The ice covers the lake for 10,000 years at a time (the amount of time it takes for the water to renew). Click for Pictures. 
• In fact, no land animals can survive living there. There are some animals that live nearby -- penguins, seals, whales. Click here for pictures. 
• Until now, scientists have believed that perhaps there is life under the ice, but they did not know for sure. Recently they drilled 1/2 a mile into the ice of one of the lakes. It took 12 days just to bring the drill to the lake and 4 days to drill. That is how cold and difficult it is to be in Antarctica!
• They found something amazing. They found tiny bacteria that you can't even see with your eyes -- you need microscopes -- living in the ice. This is an amazing discovery because it means there may also be life on planets, especially freezing cold planets. 
• The reason why is because the bacteria found in Antarctica may not need oxygen to breathe and eat. There is no oxygen where they were found. They find a way to live without it. There is no oxygen in outer space. This means perhaps life in outer space could live without it too. 
• Questions for kids: 
• If you could travel to space, what planet would you go to and why? 
• Do you think there is life in outer space? If so, what do you think life looks like? 
• What do you think is the hardest part of being a scientist in Antarctica?