Possibility of Life in Space Increasing: “More Likely Than Previously Thought”
Scientists conducted a new study claiming that life in space is more possible and closer than previously believed. According to the research, life on Earth may be much less extraordinary than we think.
Scientists have put forth a new study suggesting that life in space could be much more likely than previously thought.
For years, the “hard steps” theory argued that the existence of intelligent life required a series of improbable events. However, the new findings show that these processes may not be as impossible or difficult as initially assumed; in fact, they suggest that the evolutionary development of life could be simpler.
Jennifer Macalady, a professor of earth sciences at Pennsylvania State University and co-author of the study, stated, “This represents a significant shift in how we think about the history of life.” Macalady emphasized that the evolution of complex life may be related to interactions between life and its environment rather than pure chance, opening up exciting new research avenues in understanding our place in the universe.
Contrary to traditional views, researchers claim that life emerges when global environmental conditions are favorable. This process is considered a relatively predictable one during the evolution of planetary life. Mills, who works in Macalady’s astrobiology laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, noted that intelligent life may not require a series of fortunate events to occur. “Humans didn’t evolve ‘early’ or ‘late’ in Earth’s history, but ‘just in time’ when conditions were right. Perhaps it’s simply a matter of timing, and while some planets may reach these conditions more quickly, others may take longer,” she said.
The researchers behind the new study propose a series of methods to test their beliefs. Approaches include examining other planets to investigate whether these hard steps are unique to our planet or reevaluating our planet to see if these processes occurred multiple times on Earth. The study was published in the journal Science Advances under the title “A reassessment of the ‘hard-steps’ model for the evolution of intelligent life.”
