73. NASA Close to Discovering Life in Outer Space

NASA scientists say they are closer than ever¹ to finding life beyond Earth².  Several³ leading NASA scientists spoke to a gathering⁴ July 14th at NASA headquarters⁵ in Washington, D.C. The scientists discussed the space agency’s plan to find life in outer space⁶. 

NASA continues to look for⁷ life in the solar system.   That search⁸ is centered mostly⁹ on Mars¹⁰ and the icy moons¹¹ of Jupiter and Saturn.  But the scientists mainly¹² discussed the search for life outside the solar system.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden opened the talk.  He said it is not probable¹³ that humans are alone¹⁴ in what he calls “the limitless¹⁵ vastness¹⁶ of the universe." The scientists spoke about¹⁷ improvements¹⁸ in search equipment. They noted the Kepler Space Telescope. They said the tool¹⁹ had been²⁰ critical in expanding knowledge²¹ about exoplanets.

An exoplanet is a planet that orbits²² a star outside²³ the solar system.  Kepler has discovered most of the 5,000 possible exoplanets, of which²⁴ almost²⁵ two thousand have been confirmed. An Earth-size²⁶ exoplanet orbits what is called, the “habitable zone²⁷” of a star. The habitable zone is an area which could support²⁸ liquid water on the exoplanet.  Liquid water is considered essential²⁹ for life as we know it.

Kepler research has led³⁰ scientists to believe that there may be³¹ billions of planets in the galaxy. Sara Seager is a professor of planetary science and physics³² at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  She says space scientists think it is “very likely³³ that every single star³⁴ in the Milky Way³⁵ galaxy has at least³⁶ one planet.”

Another major step³⁷ toward discovery³⁸ is the planned launch³⁹ of three new telescopes.  Officials expect to deploy⁴⁰ the equipment starting in 2017. These telescopes will help scientists to learn⁴¹ if an exoplanet has atmospheric water vapor or carbon dioxide.

Ms. Seager says these three telescopes will give scientists the ability⁴² to find life on other planets.  But she adds⁴³ they will also⁴⁴ need luck.  It is a very big universe. During⁴⁵ the discussion, the group of scientists took⁴⁶ questions from the public.  One person⁴⁷ asked if the United States government would tell the public⁴⁸ of a discovery of life outside of Earth.

NASA's chief scientist Ellen Stofan answered, “Of course we would.” I’m Anna Matteo.

Vocabulary

1.     closer than ever = mais perto do que nunca

2.     finding life beyond Earth = descobrir vida além da Terra

3.     Several = vários

4.     gathering = reunião

5.     NASA headquarters = sede da NASA

6.     outer space = espaço exterior

7.     look for = procurar por

8.     search = busca

9.     mostly = principalmente

10.  Mars = planeta Marte

11.  icy moons = luas congeladas

12.  mainly = principalmente

13.  probable = provável

14.  alone = sozinho

15.  limitless = ilimitado

16.  vastness = vastidão

17.  spoke about = falaram sobre

18.  improvements = melhorias

19.  tool = ferramenta

20.  had been = tinha sido

21.  knowledge = conhecimento

22.  orbits = orbita

23.  outside = do lado de fora

24.  of which = dos quais

25.  almost = quase

26.  Earth-size = do tamanho da terra

27.  habitable zone = zona habitável

28.  could support = poderia suportar

29.  essential = essencial

30.  has led = tem levado

31.  there may be = pode haver

32.  physics = física

33.  very likely = muito provável

34.  every single star = cada única estrela

35.  Milky Way = Via Láctea

36.  at least = pelo menos

37.  major step = passo importante

38.  toward discovery = em direção à descoberta

39.  planned launch = lançamento planejado

40.  expect to deploy = esperam instalar (posicionar)

41.  learn = aprender

42.  ability = habilidade

43. adds = acrescenta
44. also = também
45. During = durante
46. took = tomaram, pegaram
47. person = pessoa
48. would tell the public? = contaria ao publico?