Natural satellite habitability
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
Natural satellite habitability is the measure of a natural satellite's potential to sustain life. The study of natural satellite habitability is important to astrobiology for several reasons. While theoretical conditions under which life might be sustained on natural satellites (moons) are similar to those of planets, there are key environmental differences which can make moons of particular interest in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Scientists generally consider the probability of life on natural satellites within the Solar System to be remote, though the possibility has not been ruled out. Within the Solar System's habitable zone, the only such objects are the Moon, Phobos and Deimos, and none have either an atmosphere or water in liquid form. Significantly however, some of the strongest known candidates for harbouring extraterrestrial life are located outside of the solar habitable zone, on satellites of Jupiter and Saturn.
No extrasolar moons are yet known to exist and there is no way of knowing how common they may be, what their attributes are or how many could be considered habitable. However, some scientists estimate that there are as many habitable exomoons as habitable planets.
Natural satellites are considered potential candidates for space colonization by humans as humans can inhabit moons through artificial environment, having already briefly inhabited the Moon. However, artificial environments are not considered in the definition of habitability. The most Earth-like moon in the Solar System is Titan, which is extremely hostile to human life. Terraforming of moons may be possible but is outside the limits of current technology.
In fiction
The concept of habitable exomoons has been popularized by Star Wars, including moons such as Return of the Jedi's Endor (forest moon) and Yavin 4 from A New Hope, and Pandora from the fictional universe of Avatar (2009 film).
See also
