Scientists have estimated the probability of life transfer from Earth to Venus
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- Scientists have estimated the probability of life transfer from Earth to Venus
The Earth could have been "colonizing" Venus with microorganisms for billions of years as a result of the fall of large asteroids. This was reported on June 25 by Science Daily magazine.
The researchers used a mathematical model called the "Equation of Life of Venus" to estimate the probability of survival of terrestrial organic matter during interplanetary flight. According to their calculations, about 100 organic cells delivered from Earth can disperse annually in the clouds of Venus.
According to the publication, the results of the study confirm the possibility of panspermia between Earth and Venus. So, if a future astrobiological mission finds life in the clouds of Venus, one of the possible explanations will be its terrestrial origin.
The theory of panspermia suggests that life or the components necessary for it can spread in space on asteroids and comets. When a large object collides with a planet, some of the material is ejected into space and can reach other worlds. Previously, scientists discussed a similar exchange of biomaterials mainly between Earth and Mars, but new data on the potential habitability of the cloud layer of Venus has expanded the geography of the search.
For the analysis, the scientists used a "pancake" model describing the destruction of meteorites in the atmosphere. Upon entering dense layers, the object fragments and turns into a flat cloud of debris that can remain suspended. According to the researchers, hundreds of billions of such "cells" could reach Venus over the entire history of observations, and many of them remained viable.
Scientists emphasize that each parameter in the "Equation of Life of Venus" contains a significant amount of uncertainty, similar to the famous Drake equation. Nevertheless, the model shows that organic material is able to survive the extreme pressure of being ejected from a planet, radiation, and the vacuum of outer space. According to experts, life delivered from Earth could exist in the Venusian clouds for at least a few days in every century.
The Science X news portal reported evidence of the survival of terrestrial microorganisms on Mars and the Moon. According to the publication, yeast and bacteria living in extreme conditions on Earth are highly adaptable in space, especially on other celestial bodies where water is present.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
