Comet that 'bounces' from planet to planet could spread life across the universe.
Comets, those icy bodies that streak across the sky with long, tails, have long been thought to be potential carriers of life. Now, new research suggests that comets could play an even more important role in the spread of life across the universe by bouncing from planet to planet.
The study, published in the journal Astrobiology, found that comets could survive the gravitational pull of massive planets and be slingshot back into space, where they could travel to other star systems. This means that comets could potentially carry microbes from one habitable planet to another, potentially seeding new worlds with life.
"Comets are like celestial trampolines," said Avi Loeb, a co-author of the study and a professor of astronomy at Harvard University. "They can bounce from planet to planet, spreading life throughout the universe."
The researchers used computer simulations to study the trajectories of comets around massive planets. They found that comets could be deflected by the planets' gravity and sent hurtling back into space. This process, known as gravitational slingshot, is the same one that NASA uses to send spacecraft to other planets.
The researchers also found that comets could survive the intense heat and radiation of passing close to stars. This is because comets are made up mostly of ice, which is very good at absorbing heat and radiation.
"Comets are like little spaceships," said Loeb. "They are well-protected from the harsh environment of space."
The findings of the new study suggest that comets could be a major factor in the spread of life across the universe. This is a significant finding, as it means that life could be much more common than we previously thought.
"Our study suggests that life could be much more abundant in the universe than we have ever imagined," said Loeb. "Comets could be the key to unlocking the secrets of life beyond Earth."
The next step for researchers is to look for evidence of life in comets. This could be done by analyzing comet samples that have been collected by spacecraft or by studying the spectra of comets, which can reveal the presence of organic molecules.
"The search for life in comets is one of the most exciting frontiers in science," said Loeb. "We are only just beginning to understand the potential of these icy bodies to harbor life."
If life is found in comets, it would be a major breakthrough in our understanding of the universe. It would also mean that we are not alone in the cosmos.