Researchers model a lifeless Earth to aid alien planet searches
Scientists built a computer simulation showing how a lifeless Earth's atmosphere might develop. The team plans to use it to distinguish lifeless rocky planets from inhabited ones when hunting for life around distant stars.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
What happened
Scientists built a computer simulation of a lifeless Earth, modeling how a planet without life would develop its atmosphere. The team plans to use the model to tell rocky planets without life apart from inhabited ones. The work is aimed at searching for signs of life on planets orbiting distant stars.
Why it matters
It gives them a reference for what a lifeless planet looks like.
Timeline
- Nov 8, 6:00 AM ET: Scientists announced a simulation of a planet without life to help hunt for inhabited worlds.
- Nov 10, 4:18 AM ET: The team said the lifeless Earth model could be used to search for signs of life on planets orbiting distant stars.
Coverage
- Scientists created an empty, lifeless Earth in a computer. And it could help us find alien life in the Galaxy | BBC Sky at Night Magazine (skyatnightmagazine.com)
- Scientists Simulated What Earth Would Be Like if Life Never Existed (sciencealert.com)
- Scientists simulate an Earth without life to help hunt for aliens and inhabited worlds (Yahoo News)
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