Ionizing radiation can have devastating effects on living organisms, but it also has the potential to produce biologically useful products. Researchers are exploring a new concept called the Radiolytic Habitable Zone (RHZ), where ionizing radiation can be used to support microbial metabolism.
Using computer simulations, scientists calculated the energy deposition and electron production rate of high-energy particles in the atmospheres of Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. They found that these regions could produce energy through radiolysis-driven processes, which could potentially sustain microbial life.
The researchers estimated that bacterial cell density would be highest on Enceladus, followed by Mars and Europa. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the habitability of celestial bodies in our solar system and beyond.
The study’s authors hope to contribute to a better understanding of how life can thrive in extreme environments, paving the way for future research on potential biosignatures and the search for extraterrestrial life.
Source: https://astrobiology.com/2025/07