The exploration of alien life needs to take into account the effects of cosmic rays, new research suggests.
When scientists look for signs of life across the globe, they first check the extraterrestrial world within the “Goldilocks Zone.” The area around the stars does not have too hot sunlight or too cold for liquid water to be present on the surface of the Earth. However, a team of researchers suggests another area where organisms may exist. “Radily decomposed habitable zones” allow cosmic rays (also known as cosmic radiation) to produce enough energy to support life underwater or in ice.
“Life may be able to survive in more places than we could have imagined,” Dimitra Atli, an astrophysicist at New York University Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and co-author of the new study, said in a statement. “Instead of looking for warm planets with sunlight, we can consider cold and dark places as long as there is water underneath the surface and is exposed to cosmic rays.”
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The study, published in the International Journal of Athletics on July 28, examined the possibilities of life on Mars and the possibilities of life on Jupiter’s moon Europe and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. These ice worlds, at least on the surface, are quite hostile to life, as we know. However, beneath the surface, it holds a huge amount of liquid or frozen water. Researchers have studied whether cosmic radiation can activate chemical reactions in water sufficient to support biological activity.
Cosmic rays are made up of highly energy particles and atomic nuclei that move through space at almost speed. They are produced by stars, supernovaes, and in some cases black holes. On Earth, most cosmic rays cannot penetrate the thick atmosphere of our planet. However, in a world with a thin atmosphere like Mars, they can reach the surface.
Related: Small photosynthetic aliens may be hiding in hidden bubbles in Martian ice, and can be replicated on Earth soon
In the new study, the team used computer simulations to model how much energy this cosmic radiation provides to underground ice and water in the world, such as Mars and the Moon Europe on Jupiter. They discovered that some energy particles can make it beneath the surface. The ray then breaks down existing water molecules and releases electrons in a process called electrolysis. This could potentially produce sufficient energy.
Researchers predicted that Saturn’s icy Moon Enceladus would most likely support Mars and Europe’s life following. Astrobiologists plan to study these worlds more closely in the coming years, using telescopes such as the Atacama’s large millimeter/sub-millimeter array, as well as probes like NASA’s European Clipper, currently heading towards Jovian Moon.
However, new research also affects our exploration of life beyond our solar system.
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