Is there a possibility that life exists on Mercury and Venus? The difficult thing is that it will be hot on the 2 planets but maybe high in the atmosphere around Venus? And at some places in the shade on Mercury? What are the possibilitys?
Established Member
Is there a possibility that life exists on Mercury and Venus? The difficult thing is that it will be hot on the 2 planets but maybe high in the atmosphere around Venus? And at some places in the shade on Mercury? What are the possibilitys?
Administrator
I don't know, but I would guess very, very low with Venus - it would have to be in the atmosphere as you say, and I would guess that organic materials would get cycled into the lower atmosphere and cooked to charcoal, so it would be a tough existence. I would guess the chance on Mercury is zero - every spot is either too hot or too cold and I have to believe any organic materials were blasted away a long time ago.
Order of Kilopi
I would suggest you peruse the rest of this forum to get a feeling for what the issues and factors are. It's been discussed numerouse times before.Originally Posted by Denis12
There are sooo many variables, that a general discussion will give a wide variety of answers.
Do you have a specific question?
Established Member
It may not last very long, but I think the best chance of life on either of these planets is if its sent there by us. The places are just too inhospitable.
Volunteers anyone?
Vulcan Administrator
Yes, I'd say near zero. They're just too inhospitable. Life needs a solvent (preferably water), and you're not going to find that in either place.
Everything I need to know I learned through Googling.
Order of Kilopi
Bacteria in the Venusian atmosphere would have to float safely, make water from acid and convert ultraviolet light into visible light like the lining on the inside of a flourescent tube. That's not too much to ask, is it?
Okay, it is.
Established Member
Mercury may have subsurface acquifers containing water above freezing temperature. We may have already inadvertantly seeded the upper atmosphere of Venus. Though possible, the probability is vanishingly small.
Order of Kilopi
Life Zone on Venus Possible
Life, Venus
Life on Mercury
Venus perhaps, but unlikely. Mercury, not life as we know it.
Order of Kilopi
I dunno. With some cometary ice buried in the crust at the poles in an area of almost permenant shadow but with enough heat to melt some ice and make the rock damp, earth bacteria could live there. But the chances of life actually being there? Well, I think we should look in other places first.Venus perhaps, but unlikely. Mercury, not life as we know it.
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