Cool science fiction collaboration by Nasa &Seti

From Wired 14.02 Alien Animal Planet

Aurelia and Blue Moon are based on computer models created by NASA and SETI Project researchers to help identify which stars among the universe's 70 sextillion are most likely to support life.

To make the worlds as realistic as possible, SETI astrophysicist Laurance Doyle and NASA researcher Manoj Joshi ran detailed climate simulations on a desktop Linux box. The sims allowed the scientists to observe the consequences on habitability of a range of complex atmospheric variables like thermal circulation and precipitation levels. Next, a group of life scientists, led by University of Cambridge paleobiologist Simon Conway Morris, applied the principles of natural selection and adaptation to populate the planets. They determined creature leg lengths and wingspans using biomechanics algorithms, and they established vegetation height and characteristics according to factors like available light and the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

My favorite world was Blue moon, my two favorite species the Balloon Plant and the Sky whales.

BLUE MOON
Oxygen levels on Blue Moon are four times higher than on Earth; carbon dioxide levels are 30 times higher. As a result, animals with supercharged muscular strength rule the skies, and plant growth is rampant. Frequent electrical storms ignite fires in the dense, interconnected pagoda tree forests, and massive winged creatures glide through the thick atmosphere on oceanlike currents.

BALLOON PLANT

Distinguishing Features: A cluster of sacs at the base of the plant's large bladder convert atmospheric moisture to hydrogen gas, which keeps the balloon plant aloft. The outer membrane is photosynthetic, and large groups of the plants grow in the sunny clearings left by forest fires.
Closest Earth Cousin: Kelp forests: The undersea plants have gas-filled pneumatocysts that help them grow toward the surface to convert light energy to chemical energy.

SKYWHALE
Distinguishing Features: The dense atmosphere enables this winged herbivore to move easily from ocean to sky. It uses echolocation to scan for aerial plankton, which it scoops into its enormous mouth.
Closest Earth Cousin: South American oilbirds, nocturnals found in dense forests that fly and hunt by sonar in low-light conditions.