TED2015
Nathalie Cabrol: How Mars might hold the secret to the origin of life
娜塔莉·卡布罗尔: 火星为何有可能保留了生命起源的秘密
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尽管我们喜欢把外星生物想象成是小绿人，但是它们更可能会是微生物。行星学家 娜塔莉·卡布罗尔 带领我们进入到火星微生物的搜寻中，这次搜寻一反直觉地把我们带到遥远的安第斯山脉湖泊里去。那里极端的环境——稀薄的大气和焦黄的土壤——相当接近35亿年前火星的地表环境。微生物在此适应生存的方式，也许恰好能告诉我们要去火星哪里寻找它们，并且能够帮助我们理解为什么有些微生物会通向文明，而另一些则走向灭亡。
Nathalie Cabrol - Planetary explorer
To determine how life might persist on Mars, Nathalie Cabrol explores one of Earth’s most extreme environments: high-elevation Andean lakes and deserts. Full bio
To determine how life might persist on Mars, Nathalie Cabrol explores one of Earth’s most extreme environments: high-elevation Andean lakes and deserts. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:12
Well, you know, sometimes
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你们知道吗，
有时最重要的信息
会通过最细微的事物传达。
会通过最细微的事物传达。
00:14
the most important things come
in the smallest packages.
in the smallest packages.
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00:17
I am going to try to convince you,
in the 15 minutes I have,
in the 15 minutes I have,
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在接下来15分钟里，
我将很确定的告诉你们：
我将很确定的告诉你们：
00:20
that microbes have a lot to say
about questions such as,
about questions such as,
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微生物可以从很大程度上
解释这样的问题，比如，
解释这样的问题，比如，
00:25
"Are we alone?"
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“我们是独一无二生命的吗？”
00:26
and they can tell us more about
not only life in our solar system
not only life in our solar system
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微生物能告诉我们的还有很多，
不仅是关于我们太阳系以内的生物，
不仅是关于我们太阳系以内的生物，
00:32
but also maybe beyond,
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可能还包括以外的，
这就是为什么我正在地球上
最恶劣的环境中寻找它们的踪迹，
最恶劣的环境中寻找它们的踪迹，
00:34
and this is why I am tracking them down
in the most impossible places on Earth,
in the most impossible places on Earth,
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00:39
in extreme environments where conditions
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那些极端的环境会
00:41
are really pushing them
to the brink of survival.
to the brink of survival.
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把微生物推向生存危机的边缘。
00:44
Actually, sometimes me too,
when I'm trying to follow them too close.
when I'm trying to follow them too close.
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有时候试图追踪得太紧，
连我自己也会面临生命危险。
连我自己也会面临生命危险。
00:47
But here's the thing:
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然而重点是：
00:49
We are the only advanced civilization
in the solar system,
in the solar system,
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我们是太阳系里唯一的高级文明物种，
00:55
but that doesn't mean that there is
no microbial life nearby.
no microbial life nearby.
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但这并不意味着附近没有微生物生命。
00:58
In fact, the planets
and moons you see here
and moons you see here
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事实上，大家看到的这些行星和卫星
01:02
could host life -- all of them --
and we know that,
and we know that,
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我们确信，都可能孕育着生命，
01:06
and it's a strong possibility.
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而且可能性还很高。
01:09
And if we were going to find life
on those moons and planets,
on those moons and planets,
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如果我们能够在
那些行星和卫星上找到生命，
那些行星和卫星上找到生命，
01:14
then we would answer questions such as,
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那么我们就能回答这样的问题，比如，
01:17
are we alone in the solar system?
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在太阳系里我们是唯一生物吗？
01:19
Where are we coming from?
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我们是从哪里来的呢？
01:21
Do we have family in the neighborhood?
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我们的邻居中有我们的同类吗？
01:24
Is there life beyond our solar system?
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太阳系以外有没有生命呢？
01:28
And we can ask all those questions
because there has been a revolution
because there has been a revolution
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我们之所以能够提出这些问题
是因为我们对于“可居住星球”的理解
有了革命性的发展，
有了革命性的发展，
01:32
in our understanding
of what a habitable planet is,
of what a habitable planet is,
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01:36
and today, a habitable planet is a planet
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“适居行星”如今的定义是
01:39
that has a zone where
water can stay stable,
water can stay stable,
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一个具有可储存稳定状态水地域的行星，
01:44
but to me this is a horizontal
definition of habitability,
definition of habitability,
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但是对我来说，这是
可居住性的横向定义，
可居住性的横向定义，
01:47
because it involves a distance to a star,
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因为这可以涉及到另一个星球，
01:50
but there is another
dimension to habitability,
dimension to habitability,
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其实可居住性
还有另一个维度的定义，
还有另一个维度的定义，
01:53
and this is a vertical dimension.
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一个纵向的维度。
01:55
Think of it as
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把它想成
01:59
conditions in the subsurface of a planet
where you are very far away from a sun,
where you are very far away from a sun,
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某个行星次地表的环境，
在那里你离恒星很远，
在那里你离恒星很远，
02:06
but you still have water,
energy, nutrients,
energy, nutrients,
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但你仍旧有水、能量、营养，
02:09
which for some of them means food,
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对于其中一些生物来说，
02:11
and a protection.
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这意味着食物和保护。
02:13
And when you look at the Earth,
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当我们再观察地球，
02:15
very far away from any sunlight,
deep in the ocean,
deep in the ocean,
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在远离阳光的深海里，
02:19
you have life thriving
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你会找到欣欣向荣的生命，
02:21
and it uses only chemistry
for life processes.
for life processes.
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它们的生命过程只涉及到化学反应。
02:25
So when you think of it
at that point, all walls collapse.
at that point, all walls collapse.
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因此当你这样考虑，
所有的围墙都坍塌了。
所有的围墙都坍塌了。
02:31
You have no limitations, basically.
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你基本上不受任何限制了。
02:33
And if you have been looking
at the headlines lately,
at the headlines lately,
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如果你最近有看新闻头条，
02:36
then you will see that we have
discovered a subsurface ocean
discovered a subsurface ocean
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你就会了解到
我们在木卫二、木卫三、土卫二
和土卫六上发现了冰下海洋，
和土卫六上发现了冰下海洋，
02:39
on Europa, on Ganymede,
on Enceladus, on Titan,
on Enceladus, on Titan,
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02:42
and now we are finding a geyser
and hot springs on Enceladus,
and hot springs on Enceladus,
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现在我们又在土卫二上
发现了间歇泉和温泉。
发现了间歇泉和温泉。
02:45
Our solar system is turning
into a giant spa.
into a giant spa.
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我们的太阳系正在变成
一个巨大的温泉浴场。
一个巨大的温泉浴场。
02:49
For anybody who has gone to a spa
knows how much microbes like that, right?
knows how much microbes like that, right?
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去泡过温泉的人应该知道
里边能有多少微生物，对吧？
里边能有多少微生物，对吧？
02:53
(Laughter)
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（笑声）
02:55
So at that point, think also about Mars.
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在这个前提下，再来想想火星。
02:59
There is no life possible
at the surface of Mars today,
at the surface of Mars today,
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现在的火星表面不可能有生命，
03:02
but it might still be hiding underground.
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但地下仍可能潜藏着生命。
03:05
So, we have been making progress
in our understanding of habitability,
in our understanding of habitability,
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我们不仅在进一步理解宜居性，
03:11
but we also have been making progress
in our understanding
in our understanding
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我们也在进一步了解
03:14
of what the signatures
of life are on Earth.
of life are on Earth.
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地球上有哪些生命的印记。
03:17
And you can have what we call
organic molecules,
organic molecules,
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我们有所谓的"有机分子"，
03:20
and these are the bricks of life,
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这些是生命大厦的建筑材料，
03:22
and you can have fossils,
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我们有化石，
03:24
and you can minerals, biominerals,
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还有矿物质、生物矿物质，
03:27
which is due to the reaction
between bacteria and rocks,
between bacteria and rocks,
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生物矿物质是由细菌和
岩石发生反应所产生的，
岩石发生反应所产生的，
03:30
and of course you can have
gases in the atmosphere.
gases in the atmosphere.
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当然，我们还有大气中的气体。
03:33
And when you look at those
tiny green algae
tiny green algae
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看看幻灯片右边
03:35
on the right of the slide here,
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那些微小的绿藻，
它们是十亿年前往地球大气中
03:37
they are the direct descendants
of those who have been pumping oxygen
of those who have been pumping oxygen
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输送氧气的生物的直系后裔。
03:41
a billion years ago
in the atmosphere of the Earth.
in the atmosphere of the Earth.
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03:43
When they did that, they poisoned
90 percent of the life
90 percent of the life
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当时它们制造的氧气，
毒害了地球表面百分之九十的生命，
03:46
at the surface of the Earth,
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03:47
but they are the reason why
you are breathing this air today.
you are breathing this air today.
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但却造就了现如今你们呼吸的这种空气。
但是随着我们对所有这些事情的
认知不断增长，
认知不断增长，
03:52
But as much as our understanding grows
of all of these things,
of all of these things,
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03:57
there is one question
we still cannot answer,
we still cannot answer,
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我们仍然有一个问题无法回答，
04:00
and this is, where are we coming from?
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那就是：我们是从哪里来的？
04:03
And you know, it's getting worse,
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事实上情况正在变糟，
04:04
because we won't be able
to find the physical evidence
to find the physical evidence
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因为我们永远无法找到实物证据
04:07
of where we are coming from
on this planet,
on this planet,
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证明我们起源于这个星球上的何处，
04:10
and the reason being is that anything that
is older than four billion years is gone.
is older than four billion years is gone.
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原因是四十亿年前的所有事物都不在了。
04:16
All record is gone,
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所有记录都消失了，
04:17
erased by plate tectonics and erosion.
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被板块运动和侵蚀抹得一干二净。
04:21
This is what I call the Earth's
biological horizon.
biological horizon.
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我把这个称为“地球的生物视野”。
04:25
Beyond this horizon we don't know
where we are coming from.
where we are coming from.
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超出了这个视界范围，
我们看不到我们的起源。
我们看不到我们的起源。
04:28
So is everything lost? Well, maybe not.
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那么是否所有证据都丢失了呢？
也许并没有。
也许并没有。
04:31
And we might be able to find
evidence of our own origin
evidence of our own origin
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我们也许会在最不可能的地方
找到我们的起源，
找到我们的起源，
04:35
in the most unlikely place,
and this place in Mars.
and this place in Mars.
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这个地方就是火星。
这是如何做到的呢？
04:39
How is this possible?
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04:41
Well clearly at the beginning
of the solar system,
of the solar system,
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我们知道，太阳系刚诞生的时候，
04:44
Mars and the Earth were bombarded
by giant asteroids and comets,
by giant asteroids and comets,
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火星和地球被巨大的
小行星和彗星撞击过，
小行星和彗星撞击过，
04:49
and there were ejecta
from these impacts all over the place.
from these impacts all over the place.
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这些强力撞击形成的
喷出物到处都是。
喷出物到处都是。
04:52
Earth and Mars kept throwing rocks
at each other for a very long time.
at each other for a very long time.
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地球和火星曾经很长一段时间
一直向对方丢岩石。
一直向对方丢岩石。
04:56
Pieces of rocks landed on the Earth.
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一片片岩石落到地球上。
04:58
Pieces of the Earth landed on Mars.
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一片片地球碎片落在火星上。
05:00
So clearly, those two planets may have
been seeded by the same material.
been seeded by the same material.
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很明显，这两个行星有可能
是由同种物质孕育形成的。
是由同种物质孕育形成的。
05:05
So yeah, maybe Granddady is sitting
there on the surface and waiting for us.
there on the surface and waiting for us.
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所以是的，有可能老祖宗
正坐在火星表面等着我们呢。
正坐在火星表面等着我们呢。
但这也意味着，我们可以在火星上
试试寻找人类起源的蛛丝马迹。
试试寻找人类起源的蛛丝马迹。
05:10
But that also means that we can go to Mars
and try to find traces of our own origin.
and try to find traces of our own origin.
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05:18
Mars may hold that secret for us.
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火星有可能为我们保存了这个秘密。
05:20
This is why Mars is so special to us.
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这就是为什么火星对我们如此重要。
05:23
But for that to happen,
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但是寻找的前提是：
05:25
Mars needed to be habitable
at the time when conditions were right.
at the time when conditions were right.
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火星在曾经条件适宜的时候
必须具备可居住性。
必须具备可居住性。
05:30
So was Mars habitable?
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那么，火星曾经具有宜居性吗？
05:32
We have a number of missions
telling us exactly the same thing today.
telling us exactly the same thing today.
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如今，一系列的研究行动
正告诉着我们同一个答案。
正告诉着我们同一个答案。
05:36
At the time when life
appeared on the Earth,
appeared on the Earth,
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当地球上出现生命的时候，
05:39
Mars did have an ocean,
it had volcanoes, it had lakes,
it had volcanoes, it had lakes,
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火星确实有过海、火山、湖泊，
05:44
and it had deltas like the beautiful
picture you see here.
picture you see here.
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还拥有过图中那样的美丽三角洲。
05:47
This picture was sent by the Curiosity
rover only a few weeks ago.
rover only a few weeks ago.
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这张照片是仅仅几周前
由好奇号发送回来的。
由好奇号发送回来的。
05:51
It shows the remnants of a delta,
and this picture tells us something:
and this picture tells us something:
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照片显示一个三角洲的残骸，
而且告诉我们：
而且告诉我们：
05:55
water was abundant
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水资源曾经很丰富，
05:57
and stayed founting at the surface
for a very long time.
for a very long time.
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并且很长一段时间
在地表保持喷涌状态。
在地表保持喷涌状态。
05:59
This is good news for life.
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这对于生命是个好消息。
生命化学要用很长时间才能真正发生。
06:01
Life chemistry takes a long time
to actually happen.
to actually happen.
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06:04
So this is extremely good news,
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所以这是非常好的消息，
06:06
but does that mean that if we go there,
life will be easy to find on Mars?
life will be easy to find on Mars?
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但是这是否表示如果我们去火星，
就能轻松找到生命呢？
就能轻松找到生命呢？
06:10
Not necessarily.
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并不见得。
06:12
Here's what happened:
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事情是这样的：
06:13
At the time when life exploded
at the surface of the Earth,
at the surface of the Earth,
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当生命在地球表面爆发时，
06:17
then everything went south for Mars,
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火星上的一切是背道而驰的，
06:19
literally.
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真的是完全相反。
06:20
The atmosphere was
stripped away by solar winds,
stripped away by solar winds,
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大气被太阳风一揭而散，
06:24
Mars lost its magnetosphere,
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火星失去了它的磁层，
06:26
and then cosmic rays and U.V.
bombarded the surface
bombarded the surface
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接着宇宙射线和紫外线冲击了地表
06:31
and water escaped to space
and went underground.
and went underground.
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然后水资源逃离到了空间中和地层下。
06:35
So if we want to be able to understand,
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所以如果我们想要了解，
06:38
if we want to be able to find those traces
of the signatures of life
of the signatures of life
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如果我们想要在火星表面
找到那些生命印记的蛛丝马迹，
找到那些生命印记的蛛丝马迹，
06:43
at the surface of Mars, if they are there,
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如果它们在那里的话，
06:45
we need to understand what was
the impact of each of these events
the impact of each of these events
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我们需要了解这每一个事件
06:48
on the preservation of its record.
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对于火星保存的记录有过怎样的影响。
06:52
Only then will we be able
to know where those signatures are hiding,
to know where those signatures are hiding,
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只有这样我们才能知道
那些生命的印记藏在哪里了，
那些生命的印记藏在哪里了，
06:57
and only then will we be able
to send our rover to the right places
to send our rover to the right places
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只有到那时我们才能
将火星车发送到正确的地点，
将火星车发送到正确的地点，
07:00
where we can sample those rocks
that may be telling us something
that may be telling us something
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在那里提取那些
可能蕴含重要信息的岩石，
可能蕴含重要信息的岩石，
07:04
really important about who we are,
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并借此解开关于我们是谁的秘密，
07:06
or, if not, maybe telling us
that somewhere, independently,
that somewhere, independently,
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不然，或许它能告诉我们在某个地方
生命曾在另一个星球上独立地出现过。
07:10
life has appeared on another planet.
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07:13
So to do that, it's easy.
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那么为了做到这件事，其实很简单。
07:16
You only need to go back
3.5 billion years ago
3.5 billion years ago
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你仅需要回到35亿年前
07:19
in the past of a planet.
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回到一个行星的过去。
07:22
We just need a time machine.
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我们只需要一个时光机。
07:24
Easy, right?
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很简单，对吧？
07:27
Well, actually, it is.
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事实上的确很简单。
07:28
Look around you -- that's planet Earth.
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看看你的周围——答案是地球。
07:30
This is our time machine.
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这就是我们的时光机。
07:32
Geologists are using it
to go back in the past of our own planet.
to go back in the past of our own planet.
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地质学家正在利用这个时光机
返回我们星球的过去。
返回我们星球的过去。
07:36
I am using it a little bit differently.
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我所使用的方式稍有不同。
07:38
I use planet Earth to go
in very extreme environments
in very extreme environments
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我用地球去到非常极端的环境，
07:41
where conditions were similar
to those of Mars
to those of Mars
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过去在气候变化的时候
那里的环境条件和火星上的非常相似，
07:44
at the time when the climate changed,
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07:46
and there I'm trying
to understand what happened.
to understand what happened.
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在那里，我正试图理解
曾经发生过什么。
曾经发生过什么。
07:49
What are the signatures of life?
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有什么生命的印记？
07:51
What is left? How are we going to find it?
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留下了什么？我们要如何找到它？
07:54
So for one moment now
I'm going to take you with me
I'm going to take you with me
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那么现在暂且由我带领你们和我一起
07:57
on a trip into that time machine.
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进行一次时光机旅行。
08:00
And now, what you see here,
we are at 4,500 meters in the Andes,
we are at 4,500 meters in the Andes,
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现在大家看到的是，
我们在4500米的安第斯山脉上，
我们在4500米的安第斯山脉上，
08:04
but in fact we are less than a billion
years after the Earth and Mars formed.
years after the Earth and Mars formed.
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但事实上我们处在地球和火星
形成后不到十亿年的时间。
形成后不到十亿年的时间。
08:11
The Earth and Mars will have looked
pretty much exactly like that --
pretty much exactly like that --
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地球和火星应该看起来
差不多就是这个样子：
差不多就是这个样子：
08:15
volcanoes everywhere,
evaporating lakes everywhere,
evaporating lakes everywhere,
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到处都是火山，
到处都是热气腾腾的湖泊，
到处都是热气腾腾的湖泊，
08:18
minerals, hot springs,
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矿物质，温泉，
08:22
and then you see those mounds
on the shore of those lakes?
on the shore of those lakes?
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你们看到那些湖边的土丘了吗？
08:25
Those are built by the descendants
of the first organisms
of the first organisms
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那些是由首个微生物的后代建造的，
08:29
that gave us the first fossil on Earth.
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它们给了我们地球上的第一枚化石。
08:32
But if we want to understand what's
going on, we need to go a little further.
going on, we need to go a little further.
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但是如果我们要了解正在发生什么，
我们需要前进得更远一些。
我们需要前进得更远一些。
08:36
And the other thing about those sites
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和火星三十五亿年前很像的一点是，
08:38
is that exactly like on Mars
three and a half billion years ago,
three and a half billion years ago,
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那些地方的气候正迅速变化，
08:41
the climate is changing very fast,
and water and ice are disappearing.
and water and ice are disappearing.
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水和冰正在消融。
08:46
But we need to go back to that time
when everything changed on Mars,
when everything changed on Mars,
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但是我们需要回到
火星上一切都已变迁的时候，
火星上一切都已变迁的时候，
08:49
and to do that, we need to go higher.
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为此，我们需要向更高处前进。
08:52
Why is that?
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为什么呢？
因为当你到了更高处，
08:53
Because when you go higher,
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08:55
the atmosphere is getting thinner,
it's getting more unstable,
it's getting more unstable,
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大气会变得更稀薄，更不稳定，
08:58
the temperature is getting cooler,
and you have a lot more U.V. radiation.
and you have a lot more U.V. radiation.
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温度会降得更低，
你会得到更多的紫外线辐射。
你会得到更多的紫外线辐射。
09:03
Basically,
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基本上，
09:04
you are getting to those conditions
on Mars when everything changed.
on Mars when everything changed.
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你会更接近火星上
一切都改变时的环境条件。
一切都改变时的环境条件。
09:10
So I was not promising anything about
a leisurely trip on the time machine.
a leisurely trip on the time machine.
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我没有保证这次时光旅行
会是一个安逸的旅行。
会是一个安逸的旅行。
09:16
You are not going to be sitting
in that time machine.
in that time machine.
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在这个时光机里，你不会光坐着。
09:19
You have to haul 1,000 pounds
of equipment to the summit
of equipment to the summit
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你要把1000磅的设备
拖到安第斯山脉上
拖到安第斯山脉上
09:22
of this 20,000-foot volcano
in the Andes here.
in the Andes here.
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20000英尺高的火山山顶。
09:26
That's about 6,000 meters.
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差不多有6000米。
09:28
And you also have to sleep
on 42-degree slopes
on 42-degree slopes
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而且你要在42度的斜坡上睡觉，
09:32
and really hope that there won't
be any earthquake that night.
be any earthquake that night.
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并且希望那晚不要发生任何地震。
09:35
But when we get to the summit,
we actually find the lake we came for.
we actually find the lake we came for.
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但是当我们到达峰顶，
我们找到了我们此行想要寻找的湖泊。
我们找到了我们此行想要寻找的湖泊。
09:40
At this altitude, this lake is
experiencing exactly the same conditions
experiencing exactly the same conditions
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在这个高度上，这一湖泊正经历着
跟三十五亿年前火星上
一模一样的环境条件。
一模一样的环境条件。
09:45
as those on Mars
three and a half billion years ago.
three and a half billion years ago.
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09:48
And now we have to change our voyage
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现在我们要改变路线，
09:51
into an inner voyage inside that lake,
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开始一段湖内的旅程，
09:53
and to do that, we have to remove
our mountain gear
our mountain gear
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为此，我们要脱掉登山用具，
09:57
and actually don suits and go for it.
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穿上潜水服，然后就下水吧。
10:02
But at the time we enter that lake,
at the very moment we enter that lake,
at the very moment we enter that lake,
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但是，当我们进入湖中的时候，
就在我们踏入湖里的那一刻，
就在我们踏入湖里的那一刻，
10:06
we are stepping back
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我们正在返回到
10:08
three and a half billion years
in the past of another planet,
in the past of another planet,
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三十五亿年前的另一个星球上，
10:11
and then we are going to get
the answer came for.
the answer came for.
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接着我们就要找到
我们此行要找的答案。
我们此行要找的答案。
10:16
Life is everywhere, absolutely everywhere.
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到处都是生命，完完全全到处都是。
10:19
Everything you see in this picture
is a living organism.
is a living organism.
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你们在这个照片里看到的一切
都是活生生的微生物。
都是活生生的微生物。
10:22
Maybe not so the diver,
but everything else.
but everything else.
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也许这个潜水员并不是，
但所有其他都是。
但所有其他都是。
10:27
But this picture is very deceiving.
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但这个照片很有欺骗性。
10:30
Life is abundant in those lakes,
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生命在那些湖泊里十分丰富，
10:33
but like in many places on Earth
right now and due to climate change,
right now and due to climate change,
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但是正如现在地球上很多地方，
由于气候变化
由于气候变化
10:37
there is a huge loss in biodiversity.
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生物多样性遭受了巨大损失。
10:40
In the samples that we took back home,
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在我们带回去的那些样本里，
10:43
36 percent of the bacteria in those lakes
were composed of three species,
were composed of three species,
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那些湖里36%的细菌
都是由三种物种组成的，
都是由三种物种组成的，
10:49
and those three species are the ones
that have survived so far.
that have survived so far.
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并且它们是迄今为止
存活下来的仅有的物种。
存活下来的仅有的物种。
10:53
Here's another lake,
right next to the first one.
right next to the first one.
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这是另一个湖，就在第一个的旁边。
10:56
The red color you see here
is not due to minerals.
is not due to minerals.
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大家所看到的这个红色
并不是由矿物质产生的，
并不是由矿物质产生的，
10:59
It's actually due to the presence
of a tiny algae.
of a tiny algae.
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而是由里面的某种微小藻类而产生。
11:03
In this region, the U.V. radiation
is really nasty.
is really nasty.
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在这个区域，紫外线放射非常严重。
地球上的任何地方，
紫外线指数达到11都意味着极端数值。
紫外线指数达到11都意味着极端数值。
11:07
Anywhere on Earth, 11
is considered to be extreme.
is considered to be extreme.
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11:11
During U.V. storms there,
the U.V. Index reaches 43.
the U.V. Index reaches 43.
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在那里的紫外线风暴中，
紫外线指数达到了43。
紫外线指数达到了43。
11:15
SPF 30 is not going to do anything
to you over there,
to you over there,
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防晒指数30在那里
起不到任何作用，
起不到任何作用，
11:19
and the water is so
transparent in those lakes
transparent in those lakes
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3366
并且那些湖泊里的水清澈到
11:23
that the algae has
nowhere to hide, really,
nowhere to hide, really,
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3333
水藻完全没有地方藏身，
11:26
and so they are developing
their own sunscreen,
their own sunscreen,
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2290
所以它们形成了自己的防晒层，
11:28
and this is the red color you see.
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也就是你所看到的这个红色。
11:30
But they can adapt only so far,
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2561
但它们只能适应到这个程度，
11:33
and then when all the water
is gone from the surface,
is gone from the surface,
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2478
当所有的水都从地表消失了之后，
11:35
microbes have only one solution left:
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2600
微生物就只能通过一种
途径继续生存下去：
途径继续生存下去：
11:38
They go underground.
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1858
到地下去。
11:40
And those microbes, the rocks
you see in that slide here,
you see in that slide here,
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2925
你们在图上里看到的这些岩石，
11:43
well, they are actually
living inside rocks
living inside rocks
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3220
其实那些微生物正生活在岩石里，
11:46
and they are using the protection
of the translucence of the rocks
of the translucence of the rocks
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而且它们正利用着
岩石的半透明性对它们的保护
岩石的半透明性对它们的保护
11:49
to get the good part of the U.V.
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1797
来合理的利用紫外线，
11:51
and discard the part that could
actually damage their DNA.
actually damage their DNA.
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3744
并摒弃紫外线可能会
破坏它们DNA的部分。
破坏它们DNA的部分。
11:55
And this is why we are taking our rover
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2275
这就是为什么我们训练火星车
11:57
to train them to search
for life on Mars in these areas,
for life on Mars in these areas,
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3576
在这些地方探索火星生命，
12:00
because if there was life on Mars
three and a half billion years ago,
three and a half billion years ago,
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3737
因为如果三十五亿年前
火星上曾经有生命，
火星上曾经有生命，
它们必然要用同样的方法来保护自己。
12:04
it had to use the same strategy
to actually protect itself.
to actually protect itself.
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4360
现在，非常明显地，
12:09
Now, it is pretty obvious
219
717864
2378
12:12
that going to extreme environments
is helping us very much
is helping us very much
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去极端环境可以很大程度上帮助我们
12:15
for the exploration of Mars
and to prepare missions.
and to prepare missions.
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3991
进行火星的探测和任务准备。
12:19
So far, it has helped us to understand
the geology of Mars.
the geology of Mars.
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4339
到目前为止，这帮助我们
了解了火星的地质情况。
了解了火星的地质情况。
12:24
It has helped to understand the past
climate of Mars and its evolution,
climate of Mars and its evolution,
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4121
帮助我们了解到
火星过去的气候和气候变迁，
火星过去的气候和气候变迁，
12:28
but also its habitability potential.
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2987
也帮助我们了解了
火星的宜居性潜能。
火星的宜居性潜能。
12:31
Our most recent rover on Mars
has discovered traces of organics.
has discovered traces of organics.
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739208
5539
我们最近的一个火星探测车
发现了有机物的痕迹。
发现了有机物的痕迹。
12:36
Yeah, there are organics
at the surface of Mars.
at the surface of Mars.
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2959
是的，火星地表有有机物。
12:39
And it also discovered traces of methane.
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747706
3901
它还发现了甲烷的印记。
12:43
And we don't know yet
if the methane in question
if the methane in question
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2545
我们还不知道那里的甲烷
12:46
is really from geology or biology.
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754152
3838
是在地质过程中生成的
还是通过生物过程产生的。
还是通过生物过程产生的。
12:49
Regardless, what we know is
that because of the discovery,
that because of the discovery,
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4869
不论如何，我们知道因为这个发现，
12:54
the hypothesis that there is still
life present on Mars today
life present on Mars today
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3241
现如今火星上还有生命存在的假设
12:58
remains a viable one.
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2355
仍然是有望能被证实。
13:00
So by now, I think I have convinced you
that Mars is very special to us,
that Mars is very special to us,
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5197
所以现在，我想我已经让你们相信了
火星对我们有很特殊的意义，
火星对我们有很特殊的意义，
13:05
but it would be a mistake to think
that Mars is the only place
that Mars is the only place
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2976
但是把火星看成太阳系中
唯一可能找到潜在微生物生命的地方
是一个错误的想法。
是一个错误的想法。
13:08
in the solar system that is interesting
to find potential microbial life.
to find potential microbial life.
235
776628
4946
13:14
And the reason is because
Mars and the Earth
Mars and the Earth
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3918
原因是虽然火星和地球
13:18
could have a common root
to their tree of life,
to their tree of life,
237
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2791
在生命树上可能拥有相同的根基，
13:21
but when you go beyond Mars,
it's not that easy.
it's not that easy.
238
789143
4147
但是谈到火星以外的星球，
就并不是那么简单了。
就并不是那么简单了。
13:25
Celestial mechanics
is not making it so easy
is not making it so easy
239
793290
2610
天体力学上星球间物质的交换
13:27
for an exchange
of material between planets,
of material between planets,
240
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2415
并非那样容易，
13:30
and so if we were to discover
life on those planets,
life on those planets,
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4040
所以如果我们能
在那些星球上找到生命，
在那些星球上找到生命，
13:34
it would be different from us.
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1857
那里的生命将和我们不同。
13:36
It would be a different type of life.
243
804212
1838
它们会是不同种类的生命。
13:38
But in the end, it might be just us,
244
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2853
但是到最后，也有可能就只有我们，
13:40
it might be us and Mars,
245
808903
1996
或者只有我们和火星，
13:42
or it can be many trees of life
in the solar system.
in the solar system.
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3483
或者也可能太阳系里有很多生命树。
13:46
I don't know the answer yet,
but I can tell you something:
but I can tell you something:
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我还不知道答案，
但是我能告诉大家的是：
但是我能告诉大家的是：
13:50
No matter what the result is,
no matter what that magic number is,
no matter what that magic number is,
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4432
不论答案如何，
不论那个神奇的数字是几，
不论那个神奇的数字是几，
13:54
it is going to give us a standard
249
822542
2011
这将会给我们带来一个标准，
13:56
by which we are going to be able
to measure the life potential,
to measure the life potential,
250
824553
4528
我们将可以利用这个标准
衡量我们太阳系以外的
衡量我们太阳系以外的
14:01
abundance and diversity
beyond our own solar system.
beyond our own solar system.
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829081
3110
生命的潜能、丰富性和多样性。
14:04
And this can be achieved
by our generation.
by our generation.
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2560
这是可以在我们这一代实现的。
14:06
This can be our legacy,
but only if we dare to explore.
but only if we dare to explore.
253
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3863
这可以成为我们的遗赠，
但前提是我们敢于探索。
但前提是我们敢于探索。
14:11
Now, finally,
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现在，最后，
14:13
if somebody tells you that looking
for alien microbes is not cool
for alien microbes is not cool
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如果有人告诉你
寻找外星微生物不是那么酷，
寻找外星微生物不是那么酷，
14:17
because you cannot have
a philosophical conversation with them,
a philosophical conversation with them,
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因为你不能和它们
进行一场有意义的对话，
进行一场有意义的对话，
14:21
let me show you why and how
you can tell them they're wrong.
you can tell them they're wrong.
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我来告诉你，为什么你能
以及如何能告诉他们，这是错的。
以及如何能告诉他们，这是错的。
14:27
Well, organic material
is going to tell you
is going to tell you
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有机物质会告诉你
14:30
about environment, about complexity
and about diversity.
and about diversity.
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有关环境，复杂度
以及多样性的信息。
以及多样性的信息。
14:36
DNA, or any information carrier,
is going to tell you about adaptation,
is going to tell you about adaptation,
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DNA，或者任何其他信息载体，
会告诉你有关适应性，
会告诉你有关适应性，
14:42
about evolution, about survival,
about planetary changes
about planetary changes
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进化，生存，行星变迁，
14:47
and about the transfer of information.
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以及信息传递的内容。
14:50
All together, they are telling us
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所有的加在一起，它们能告诉我们
14:53
what started as a microbial pathway,
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什么是微生物途径的开端，
14:57
and why what started
as a microbial pathway
as a microbial pathway
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以及为什么有时候一些
微生物途径的开端
微生物途径的开端
15:00
sometimes ends up as a civilization
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会最终形成一个文明，
15:03
or sometimes ends up as a dead end.
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另一些时候则会最终走到尽头。
15:07
Look at the solar system,
and look at the Earth.
and look at the Earth.
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看看太阳系，再看看地球。
15:10
On Earth, there are many
intelligent species,
intelligent species,
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地球上有很多智慧的物种，
15:13
but only one has achieved technology.
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但只有一个物种实现了科技发展。
15:16
Right here in the journey
of our own solar system,
of our own solar system,
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就在我们自己太阳系的旅程里，
15:20
there is a very, very powerful message
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有一个非常、非常强有力的信息：
15:22
that says here's how we should look
for alien life, small and big.
for alien life, small and big.
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这就是我们应当如何
寻找外星生命，无论生命大小。
寻找外星生命，无论生命大小。
15:28
So yeah, microbes are talking
and we are listening,
and we are listening,
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微生物在叙述，我们在聆听，
15:31
and they are taking us,
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并且它们正把我们带领到
15:33
one planet at a time
and one moon at a time,
and one moon at a time,
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一个个行星，一个个卫星，
15:35
towards their big brothers out there.
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带到它们外面的那些大哥哥那里。
15:38
And they are telling us about diversity,
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它们在告诉我们多样性的信息，
15:41
they are telling us about
abundance of life,
abundance of life,
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它们在告诉我们生命的丰富性，
15:44
and they are telling us
how this life has survived thus far
how this life has survived thus far
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它们在告诉我们
生命是如何存活至今
生命是如何存活至今
15:48
to reach civilization,
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来取得文明、
15:51
intelligence, technology
and, indeed, philosophy.
and, indeed, philosophy.
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智能、科技，甚至是，哲学。
15:56
Thank you.
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谢谢大家。
15:57
(Applause)
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（鼓掌）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Nathalie Cabrol - Planetary explorerTo determine how life might persist on Mars, Nathalie Cabrol explores one of Earth’s most extreme environments: high-elevation Andean lakes and deserts.
Why you should listen
While hunting for life in the fragile biomes of the Andes, Nathalie Cabrol has braved earthquakes, set a diving record and gathered data on the threats faced by mountain ecosystems in the face of climate change.
But Cabrol’s eyes are always fixed on Mars, which may have once had a climate similar to Earth’s mountain deserts. As a science team member for NASA, Cabrol helps design interplanetary experiments for the Martian Spirit rover, and researches new technologies for future missions to Mars and beyond.
Nathalie Cabrol | Speaker | TED.com