Is there life in the hostile environments of space? Here’s what the research shows

For decades, Scientists discuss the minimum conditions necessary for lifestating that any world where it might evolve would require liquid water, a source of energy and essential nutrients.

This vision provided guidance for the search for extraterrestrial life in places with conditions similar to those on Earth, limiting possible habitable environments to worlds with temperate climates and liquid water on the surface. But, Is it possible for life to exist in more hostile places in space?

Is Earth 2.0 really necessary for the search for life?

A recent study entitled “Self-sustaining habitats in extreme environments” by Dr Robin Wordsworth of Harvard University and Professor Charles Cockell of the University of Edinburgh suggests that Life in its simplest form could thrive in much more extreme conditions than traditionally thought possible.

One of the key premises of the study is that life does not have to develop only on worlds like Earth. Currently, about 6,000 exoplanets are known.but only a few meet the “earthly” conditions of habitation. By focusing the search on just these few exoplanets, scientists may miss other opportunities to find life in places where conditions are radically different.

Wordsworth and Cockell’s study states that Simple life forms, especially those dependent on photosynthesis, can thrive in unconventional habitats.as long as they have access to an energy source such as sunlight. This discovery suggests that the development and evolution of life does not necessarily require such strict conditions as on Earth.

Determining Factors of Life in Space

To test their theories, the researchers analyzed several factors that influence habitability in extreme environments: atmospheric pressure, temperature, loss of volatile elements, radiation levels and nutrient availability.. These elements, although seemingly hostile, are not insurmountable. With the right combination, even extreme conditions can support life in some form.

For example, the researchers highlight that a source of solar radiation, combined with biological barriers that can filter ultraviolet radiation, could provide habitable environments in areas of space previously thought impossible. These biological barriers, formed by microorganisms or biogenic materials, can maintain adequate temperature gradients and protect simple organisms from radiation.

Possible habitable places in the solar system

If we expand the concept of habitability, then some bodies in the solar system seem to be good candidates for the presence of life. Venus, with its dense and aggressive atmosphere, may have habitable zones in its upper layers, where temperatures and pressures are less extreme. Mars, although arid and with sub-zero temperatures, has water reserves beneath its surface that can support microbial organisms.

In addition, satellites such as Europa and Enceladus were considered. Beneath the ice sheets of these moons are oceans and sources of thermal energy, such as underground volcanic activity, that could support life. In these cases Although life would not depend on sunlight as it does on Earth, the chemical energy resulting from the interaction of water and minerals could allow the existence of simple organisms.

Wordsworth and Cockell’s research has implications beyond the search for extraterrestrial life. The concepts explored may be useful for the development of life support systems in future space missions.helping to create self-sustaining habitats for astronauts on the Moon, Mars, or even long-duration space stations. Biotechnologies in extreme environments can be used in food production, habitat construction and energy production.

New Life Detection Strategies

This approach also requires new life detection strategies. If life can exist in environments where photosynthesis is not possible, such as the underground oceans of Enceladus and Europa, special techniques will be needed to detect these life forms.. This may involve looking for alternatives that are not obvious on planetary surfaces.

Wordsworth and Cockell’s research challenges the idea that only worlds like Earth can support life. Life in its simplest form may be far more adaptive than originally thought, and exploring these possibilities is critical in the quest to better understand the universe.

Links to news

Wordsworth, R.; Cockell, K. arXiv. Self-sustaining habitat in an extraterrestrial environment. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2409.14477

Collins Petersen. Physics.org. Research shows that life can maintain habitable environments in hostile environments. https://phys.org/news/2024-10-life-habitable-environment-hostile-conditions.html#google_vignette