A groundbreaking study published by NYU Abu Dhabi has challenged the conventional wisdom about the necessity of sunlight or volcanic heat for life to thrive. Researchers have discovered that high-energy ionizing radiation from cosmic rays, which are typically harmful to living organisms, can actually support life in certain environments.
The study’s lead author, Dimitra Atri, suggests that cosmic rays may not only be harmless but also beneficial in areas with underground liquid water or water ice. The research focuses on the breakdown of water molecules by cosmic rays, releasing electrons that certain Earth-based bacteria consume as an energy source through radiolysis.
Simulations conducted by the team estimated the energy potential of cosmic-ray interactions on Mars, Saturn’s moon Enceladus, and Jupiter’s moon Europa, with Enceladus emerging as the most favorable environment for life to thrive. The discovery has significant implications for the search for extraterrestrial life, suggesting that life might be able to survive in more places than previously thought.
The team proposes a new concept: the Radiolytic Habitable Zone, which includes areas where cosmic rays can interact with underground water, providing a source of energy for microbial life. This finding may prompt future space missions to shift their focus from surface conditions to tools capable of detecting chemical energy generated by radiation below the surface.
Source: https://thedebrief.org/cosmic-ray-discovery-suggests-extraterrestrial-life-may-exist-in-more-places-than-we-ever-imagined