Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere else besides earth. Until recently, scientists believed that life on other planets was just a hopeful dream. But now they are beginning to locate places where life could form.
很久以来，人们就被地球以外存在生命的观点强烈地吸引。直到近期，科学家们都坚信外星生命的想法只不过是个有希望的梦想。但是现在他们开始定位外星生命形成的位置。
In 1997, they saw evidence of planets near other stars like the sun. But scientists now think that life could be even nearer in our own solar system. One place scientists are studying very closely is Europa, a moon of Jupiter.
在1997年，他们在像太阳这类其他恒星的行星上发现了证据。可是，现在科学家认为外星生命甚至更接近我们，就存在于我们太阳系中。科学家们正在仔细研究的这个地方是欧罗巴，是木星的卫星。
Space probes have provided evidence that Europa has a large ocean under its surface. The probes have also made scientists think that under its surface Europa has a rocky core giving off volcanic heat. Water and heat from volcanic activity are two basic conditions needed for life to form.
太空探索提供的证据表明在欧罗巴的表层下蕴藏着一个巨大的海洋。太空探索还使科学家们相信在欧罗巴的表层下有一个岩层核心，释放出火山般的热量。火山活动的水和热是生命形式所需的两个基本条件。
A third is certain basic chemicals such as carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. Scientists believe there might be such chemicals lie at the bottom of Europa's ocean.They may have already created life or may be about to. You may wonder if light is also needed for life to form. Until recently, scientists thought that light was essential.
第三个条件是某些基本的化学元素，如：碳、氧、氮。科学家相信在欧罗巴的海底可能存在这些物质。它们或许已经创造了生命，也许将来会产生生命。你或许想知道光对于生命的形成是否必要。直到最近，他们都认为光是必须的。
But now, places have been found on earth that are in total blackness such as caves several miles beneath the surface. And bacteria, primitive forms of life have been seen there. So the lack of light in Europa's sub-surface ocean doesn't automatically rule out life forming.
但是，现在地球上完全黑暗的地方也有生命，如在地表下数公里的洞穴中。生命原始形式的细菌就存在于那儿。因此，在欧罗巴表层以下缺少阳光的海洋中无法自动排除生命存在的可能。
英语单词词汇整理:
1. fascinated adj. 被强烈地吸引住的
eg: The child was fascinated by the plots in the novel.
这个小孩被小说的情节吸引住了。
短语：
be fascinated by 着迷于...；被...吸引住了
feel fascinated 心醉了
Fascinated Perfume 迷迭香
2. locate vt.找出，位于，建立 vi.建立，住下来
eg: Rescue teams are using thermal imaging to locate survivors of the earthquake.
救援队伍正利用热成像确定地震幸存者的位置。
短语：
locate in 在...定居；坐落于
locate piont 定位点
locate object 定位术；定位目标
3. evidence n.根据，证据 v.证实，证明
eg: There was no enough evidence to produce him guilty.
没有足够的证据可以证明他有罪。
短语：
material evidence 物证；主要证据
in evidence 明显的
give evidence 作证
direct evidence 直接证据
strong evidence 有力证据；真凭实据
4. solar adj. 太阳的，太能的
eg: Saturn is the second biggest planet in the solar system.
土星是太阳系中的第二大行星。
短语：
solar system 太阳系
solar energy 太阳能
solar cycle 太阳（活动）周期
5. rocky adj.岩石的
eg: There is only one port along this rocky coast.
这个多岩石的海岸只有一个港口。
短语：
rocky mountain 落基山（脉）；洛矶山（脉）
rocky desert 岩质沙漠
rocky coast 岩石海岸
rocky road 坎坷崎岖的路
6. primitive adj.原始的
eg: It is a primitive instinct to flee a place of danger.
逃离危险的地方是一种原始本能。
短语：
primitive culture 原始文明；原生态文化
primitive function 原函数；基元功能
primitive religion 原始宗教
佳句采摘：
Since early times, people have been fascinated with the idea of life existing somewhere elase besides earth.
很久以来，人们就被地球以外存在生命的观点强烈地吸引。 |