NASA experts have weighed in on the question of whether dry, desert planets like Tatooine and Arrakis can support native life. According to new data from the Habitable Worlds Observatory project, water is essential for a planet’s stability and ecosystems. The researchers found that there is a threshold of water needed to maintain a stable climate, making it highly unlikely for life to survive on desert planets with significantly less than one Earth’s ocean.
The findings suggest that even if a planet is in a “habitable zone,” it would still require enough water to maintain a stable atmosphere. Computer simulations designed to track the evolution of desert planets revealed that it is difficult for life to thrive due to hostile temperature fluctuations. A planet without sufficient water would eventually lose its water supply, leading to desertification and wiping out native life.
This news may be cold comfort to fans of sci-fi desert planets like Tatooine and Arrakis. However, NASA experts say that it’s possible for humans or other species to colonize a planet after the fact, but significant temperature swings would remain a threat on a daily basis. The researchers’ conclusion is clear: sci-fi desert planets are unlikely to support native life, making them less realistic than previously thought.
Source: https://www.slashfilm.com/1771393/why-sci-fi-planets-arrakis-tatooine-not-accurate-nasa