A new study indicates that the search for a strange life should be seen in the effect of cosmic rays.
When scientists search for signs of life outside the earth, they first examine the worlds outside the Earth inside the “Goldilocks” – the area around the star that does not make the sunlight very hot or very cold so that liquid water can not be found on the surface of the planet. But a team of researchers proposed another area in which living organisms can exist: “The Radio Caliba Calm”, where Cosmic (Also known as cosmic radiation) It can generate enough energy to support deep underwater life or ice.
“Life may be able to stay in places more than we imagine,” Demera AtriThe astronomical physicist at New York University, Abu Dhabi, said in the United Arab Emirates and co -author of the new study, in a statement. “Instead of looking only for warm planets with sunlight, we can now think about cold and dark places, as long as they have some water under the surface and are exposed to cosmic rays.”
Research, published July 28 in International Journal of AstronomyInvestigating the possibility of life on Mars, as well as on Jupiter Europa and Saturn’s Moon Encelandus. These icy worlds are somewhat hostile to life as we know, at least on the surface. but Under the surfaceCarry Wide quantities From liquid or frozen water. The researchers studied whether cosmic radiation might be able to stimulate chemical reactions in water enough to support biological activity.
Cosmic rays consist of very active particles and an atomic nucleus that moves almost by light at light. It is produced by stars, Supernovas, and in some cases, Black holes. On Earth, most cosmic rays fail to penetrate our thick planet atmosphere. But in the worlds of insomnia, such as Mars, can reach the surface – and possibly underground.
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In the new study, the team used computer simulations to mix the amount of energy that this cosmic radiation to ice and surface water on Mars and worlds such as Jupiter in Europa. They found that some active particles could make them below the surface. Once you get there, the rays dismantle the existing water molecules, which leads to the release of electrons in a process called electrolysis. This can generate enough energy to support life-perhaps until start.
The researchers expected that Saturn ice satellite will have the highest potential to support life, followed by Mars and Europe. Astronomers are planning to study these worlds closely in the coming years, using data from telescopes such as the great Atacama Safif/sublimer and investigations such as NASA Europa ClipperWho is currently on his way to the Jovien Moon.
But the new study has effects on the search for life outside our solar system, “This discovery changes the way we think about the location of life.”