American astronomer Piero Madau from the University of California at Santa Cruz has determined the approximate radius within which extraterrestrial life can be detected. According to their calculations, searches should be made at a distance of about 65 light years from our planet. To work published In the scientific journal Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (EPA).
The scientist presented a mathematical basis for calculating the population of habitable planets at a distance of 100 parsecs (326 light-years) from our Sun. Madau estimates that, assuming Earth and the solar system are normal, this volume of space could contain up to 11,000 Earth-like exoplanets orbiting the habitable zones of their stars.
In his work, the astronomer examined how time-dependent factors played a vital role in the emergence of life in our Universe. This includes the history of star formation in our galaxy, the enrichment of the interstellar medium with heavy elements (formed in the interiors of the first stars), the formation of planets, and the distribution of water and organic molecules among planets.
It took approximately 500 million years for life to emerge from the primitive conditions that existed on Earth approximately 4 billion years ago.
About 500 million years later, photosynthesis emerged in the form of single-celled organisms that metabolized carbon dioxide and produced oxygen gas as a byproduct. This gradually changed the chemistry of our atmosphere and eventually led to the emergence of complex life forms.
Using the generally accepted timeline for the origin of life on Earth and applying a conservative estimate of the prevalence of life on other planets, Piero Madau’s model also showed how far away the nearest exoplanet that could support life might be.
“So if microbial life arose as quickly as it did on Earth, we would expect the nearest habitable Earth-like planet to be less than 20 parsecs, or 65 light-years away,” the scientist said.
Previous scientists was created Artificial intelligence will search for life on Mars and other planets.
Source: Gazeta
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