Astronomers have always searched for answers to the question of the existence of extraterrestrial life in the universe. Now a new study gives hope that the answer will be found.
A dwarf planet between Mars and Jupiter known as Ceres is becoming the center of attention in the search for extraterrestrial life due to its abundance of organic material.
Ceres, which has long remained a little-studied planet in the asteroid belt, has attracted the attention of scientists because of its unusual nature. Recent research published in the Journal of the Geological Society of America highlights the importance of this small planet for understanding potential alien life forms.
Scientists first discovered organic compounds on Ceres in 2017 using the Dawn spacecraft. However, recent research suggests that organic matter is more common than previously thought.
Planetary scientist Terik Daly of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and lead author of the study stressed that finding organic material on Ceres could be the key to understanding the potential for life in the universe. He also noted that these organic compounds appear to be resistant to harsh conditions such as those found on Ceres.
Ceres provides a lot of interesting data. The planet is not only rich in organic matter, but also contains significant supplies of water ice, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon – all the necessary building blocks for life as we know it. These discoveries allow scientists to speak with confidence about the possibility of life on Ceres.
Daly notes that while they have not yet explored all aspects of organics on Ceres, observations indicate that organics are closely related to elements and minerals, such as carbonates. These elements indicate the presence of water, providing strong evidence for the evolution of organic matter on Ceres, probably from water.
It turns out that Ceres may be hiding an internal supply of organic material, increasing interest in the biological potential of this small dwarf planet.
A joint study by scientists from several universities and research laboratories gives hope that we are getting closer to the answer to one of the most fascinating questions: is there life in space?
