Science fiction regularly presents us with desert planets where life abounds. This would not be realistic, according to NASA.
Read laterSavedFollow #NASA#NASA Suivi
At the time of writing, there is no evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial life was not found. Are there other forms of intelligent life? Authors and filmmakers did not wait for First Contact to imagine planets other than Earth harboring life. But between what is presented to us in cinema and literature and what Science says, there is sometimes a gap.
Discover our latest podcast
The planet Arrakis is unlikely to be a haven of life
Desert, arid and wild, the planet Arrakis, known as Dune, is at the center of the saga of the same name. Populated by the Fremen, colonized by the Harkonnen then the Atreides, it is at the center of the Corrino empire thanks to its precious Spice.
Living there is difficult but not impossible, for those who know how to save the slightest drop of water. But could such a planet naturally support lifein the real world? According to NASA, this seems very complicated. At the American Geophysical Union’s 2024 annual conference, a team of Agency scientists presented their work (which has not yet been peer-reviewed).
After carrying out numerous simulations, the team concluded that a planet without a minimum amount of water could not be conducive to life… But not only to quench the thirst of its possible inhabitants! Haskelle scientist Trigue White-Gianella, who carried out the simulations, explains:
“We found that there is a threshold of water needed to maintain a stable climate… Even if a planet is in the habitable zone, if its water stock is too low, it moves to an uninhabitable state.”
No water, no life
In other words, even when a planet is located in the habitable zone of its star (region neither too cold nor too hot), water is necessary to ensure relatively stable temperatures.
Tatooine, the well-known planet of Star Wars similar to Dune, would therefore also be inhospitable. Life there would thus be impossible… at least life as we know it according to our Earthly standards. Aware that her work may disappoint many, Haskelle Trigue White-Gianella declared:
“In conclusion, these science fiction worlds are probably not real. So I’m sorry for the fans.”
Also read:
Canada
