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Is there life on Venus? MIT’s recent discovery of amino acid stability has been described as “absolutely surprising”

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It appears that the clouds of Venus may provide a suitable environment for certain types of organisms.

There could potentially be life in the solar system beyond Earth, specifically in the clouds of Venus. Unlike the harsh conditions on the planet’s surface, the cloud layer of Venus, located 30 to 40 miles above, experiences more moderate temperatures that may be conducive to the survival of certain extreme life forms.

Scientists have speculated that if there are any inhabitants in the clouds of Venus, they would likely have distinct characteristics compared to life forms on Earth. That’s because the clouds are composed of extremely harmful sulfuric acid droplets, a corrosive chemical that can dissolve metals and break down biological molecules.

However, a recent study by MIT researchers may offer a different viewpoint. The study, published on March 18 in the journal Astrobiology, reveals that certain essential components of life can remain stable in highly concentrated sulfuric acid solutions.

According to the study’s findings, it has been discovered that 19 crucial amino acids for sustaining life on our planet can remain stable for a duration of four weeks when exposed to vials of sulfuric acid at concentrations comparable to those found in the clouds of Venus. It was discovered that the molecular structure of all 19 amino acids remained unchanged when exposed to sulfuric acid solutions with concentrations ranging from 81 to 98 percent.

According to Janusz Petkowski, a research affiliate in MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), it is quite astonishing that concentrated sulfuric acid does not universally harm organic chemistry as a solvent.

According to study author Sara Seager, a professor at MIT, the stability of the building blocks of life in sulfuric acid is quite fascinating. This discovery raises interesting questions about the potential for life on Venus. “Life in that place may not be identical to life in this location.” Clearly, it is impossible. However, this research suggests that the clouds on Venus may have the necessary conditions to sustain complex chemicals essential for life.

A group of researchers, including William Bains, a scientist at Cardiff University and a research affiliate at MIT, and Maxwell Seager, an undergraduate in the Department of Chemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Seager’s son, conducted the study.

Foundations in Acid
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the search for life in Venus’ clouds. The discovery of phosphine, a molecule frequently linked to the existence of life, in the planet’s atmosphere has sparked interest. While the detection is still a topic of debate, the recent news has sparked renewed interest in the possibility of life on Earth’s sister planet.

Scientists are currently planning multiple missions to Venus, including an upcoming mission that is being largely privately funded. California-based launch company Rocket Lab is supporting this mission. Seager leads the scientific investigation of a mission that intends to send a spacecraft into the planet’s clouds to study their chemical composition and search for organic molecules.

Similar to an information security analyst, Seager and her colleagues have been conducting tests on different molecules in concentrated sulfuric acid. Their goal is to identify which fragments of life on Earth could potentially survive in the highly acidic clouds of Venus, which are significantly more acidic than any known places on our planet. These experiments are crucial in preparing for the mission’s launch in January 2025.

According to Petkowski, there is a common misconception about concentrated sulfuric acid being an incredibly potent solvent that can dissolve anything. “However, it appears that our findings contradict this assumption.”

Interestingly, the team has previously demonstrated the remarkable stability of complex organic molecules, such as certain fatty acids and nucleic acids, in sulfuric acid. It is crucial to remember that while complex organic chemistry is not the same as life, it is necessary for life to exist, as the scientists emphasize in their most recent paper.

Put simply, if specific molecules can endure in sulfuric acid, it’s possible that the extremely acidic clouds of Venus could support life, even if it’s not currently inhabited.

In their latest study, the team shifted their attention towards amino acids, which are crucial molecules that come together to form vital proteins, each serving a distinct purpose. Every organism on our planet relies on amino acids to produce proteins, which are essential for various vital processes such as digestion, energy production, muscle development, and tissue repair.

Based on our findings, it has been shown that certain fatty acids can create micelles and vesicles in sulfuric acid, while the nucleic acid bases remain stable in this environment. These observations contribute to our understanding of the four fundamental components of life. According to Maxwell Seager, there is evidence of carbohydrates being extremely reactive in sulfuric acid. After examining all the other major building blocks, we were left with amino acids to study.

A Reliable Foundation
During the pandemic, the scientists conducted their studies on sulfuric acid in a home laboratory. Since that time, Seager and her son continued their research on chemistry in concentrated sulfuric acid. In early 2023, a request was made for powder samples of 20 amino acids that are crucial for sustaining life on Earth. They mixed different types of amino acids with a solution of sulfuric acid and water, using concentrations that mimic those found in Venus’ clouds.

After incubating the vials for a day, the team proceeded to transport them to MIT’s Department of Chemistry Instrumentation Facility (DCIF). This facility is a shared laboratory that provides MIT scientists with access to a range of automated and manual instruments, available 24/7. Seager and her team utilized the lab’s nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer to examine the composition of amino acids in sulfuric acid.

Upon thorough examination over a span of four weeks, the scientists made an unexpected discovery. They found that the fundamental molecular structure, specifically the “backbone,” of 19 out of the 20 amino acids remained remarkably stable and unaltered, even when exposed to highly acidic conditions.

“Merely demonstrating the stability of this backbone in sulfuric acid does not imply the existence of life on Venus,” remarks Maxwell Seager. “However, demonstrating the compromise of this crucial infrastructure would have dire consequences for our way of life.”

According to Sanjay Limaye, a planetary scientist at the University of Wisconsin who has extensively researched Venus, the idea of life existing in sulfuric acid is not as implausible as it may seem. This is due to the recent finding that certain amino acids and nucleic acids can remain stable in 98 percent sulfuric acid. Undoubtedly, there are numerous challenges to overcome, but it would be unwise to underestimate the resilience of life that has thrived in water and successfully adapted to sulfuric acid.

The team recognizes that the chemistry of Venus’ clouds is probably more complex than the controlled conditions of the study. As an information security analyst, it is important to note that scientists have conducted measurements on a range of trace gases found in the planet’s clouds, along with sulfuric acid. Incorporating certain trace gases in future experiments is part of the team’s plan.

“According to Sara Seager, there are only a few groups in the world currently focused on chemistry in sulfuric acid, and they all acknowledge the lack of intuition in this field.” It is quite satisfying to see that this recent discovery further supports the potential existence of life on Venus.

As Editor here at GeekReply, I'm a big fan of all things Geeky. Most of my contributions to the site are technology related, but I'm also a big fan of video games. My genres of choice include RPGs, MMOs, Grand Strategy, and Simulation. If I'm not chasing after the latest gear on my MMO of choice, I'm here at GeekReply reporting on the latest in Geek culture.

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Astronomy

Why some physicists believe we live in a black hole

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Black holes are enigmatic entities that, despite our extensive knowledge, continue to perplex our comprehension of physics. Physicists have proposed unconventional hypotheses to address the paradoxes encountered during the study of these phenomena. One hypothesis suggests that these paradoxes indicate that our universe is actually a holographic representation. According to this idea, everything we observe and perceive is encoded at the boundary of our universe, which is a three-dimensional representation of a two-dimensional universe, including time. Moreover, there have been suggestions that this could potentially indicate that our universe exists inside a black hole within a larger universe.

Black holes are regions of space that result from the gravitational collapse of massive stars, exhibiting such intense gravity that even light cannot escape. Their presence presented a challenge when examining them from a thermodynamic perspective. After achieving stability, a black hole’s mass, angular momentum, and electric charge are the only factors that determine its final state.

“According to French astrophysicist Jean-Pierre Luminet’s 2016 review, in classical general relativity, a black hole effectively traps any particle or form of radiation within its cosmic confinement, preventing their escape.” “To an external observer, the moment a material body passes through an event horizon, all information regarding its material properties becomes inaccessible.” Only the updated values of mass (M), angular momentum (J), and electric charge (Q) are retained. Consequently, a black hole engulfs a vast quantity of information.

It may appear straightforward—or at least as straightforward as physics can be. However, if a black hole possesses mass (which is typically substantial), it should theoretically possess a temperature in accordance with the first law of thermodynamics. Furthermore, in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics, it should emit thermal radiation. Stephen Hawking demonstrated that black holes emit radiation, now known as Hawking radiation, which is generated at the boundary of a black hole.

“Hawking subsequently identified a paradox.” “If a black hole undergoes evaporation, a fraction of the information it possesses becomes permanently irretrievable,” Luminet elaborated. A black hole’s thermal radiation does not retain or replicate information about the matter it ate. The irrevocable loss of information contradicts one of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. The Schrödinger equation states that in physical systems that undergo changes over time, information cannot be created or destroyed. This property is referred to as unitarity.

This phenomenon is referred to as the black hole information paradox, and due to its apparent contradiction with our existing comprehension of the cosmos, it has been extensively examined and discussed.

Examining the thermodynamics of black holes within the context of string theory led to the discovery of an alternative solution. Gerard ‘t Hooft demonstrated that the total number of independent variables within a black hole is directly proportional to the surface area of its horizon, rather than its volume. This enables the examination of the entropy of a black hole.

“In terms of information, Luminet explains that each bit, represented as either a 0 or a 1, corresponds to four Planck areas. This correspondence enables the derivation of the Bekenstein-Hawking formula for entropy,” Luminet concludes. “To an external observer, it appears that the information regarding the entropy of the black hole, which was previously contained within the three-dimensional arrangement of objects that entered the event horizon, is no longer accessible.” However, according to this perspective, the data is encoded on the flat, two-dimensional surface of a black hole, similar to a hologram. Thus, Hooft concluded that the information consumed by a black hole could be fully recovered through the process of quantum evaporation.

Although it is consoling to know that black holes do not violate the second law of thermodynamics, this has given rise to the unusual idea that a three-dimensional space’s two-dimensional boundary can explain its physics.

It has been suggested that the universe itself could potentially function like a black hole, with all phenomena occurring at its boundary and our observations arising from these interactions. However, this concept does not apply to the space outside of a black hole. This idea is quite unconventional, with some unexpected additions. For example, there is a suggestion that gravity may emerge as a force from entanglement entropy at the boundary.

The theory falls short in its ability to provide a convincing explanation for our universe, as standard physics continues to offer the most accurate description of the observable universe. However, there are valid justifications for why individuals consider it of great importance.

In order for the model to be valid, it is crucial that the Hubble radius of the universe, which represents the radius of our observable universe, is equivalent to its Schwarzschild radius. This refers to the size of a black hole that would form if all the matter within it was compressed into a single point. These two figures are unexpectedly similar, although this could be attributed to a cosmic coincidence.

There are other factors to consider, like this comprehensive chart that indicates the possibility of our existence within a black hole within a larger universe. However, until a theory emerges with substantial evidence and predictions that surpass our current knowledge of physics, we recommend refraining from succumbing to an existential crisis. This applies regardless of whether you perceive yourself as a three-dimensional entity existing within conventional space-time or as a holographic projection originating from a two-dimensional boundary within a larger universe.

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A potential development of the first lunar railway is anticipated within the next ten years

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For people to live on the Moon’s surface permanently, they need to be able to use Moon resources. Not everything can be brought to Earth. But it’s not likely that the base will have everything it needs right there. Some things will need to be moved. It’s not a new idea to have cars (well, buggies) on the Moon, but now scientists are thinking about a very different idea: a railway system that floats.

FLOAT, which stands for “Flexible Levitation on a Track,” is the name of the project. The goal is to make payload transportation that is self-driving, dependable, and effective. As part of its mission, it will move payloads from spacecraft landing zones to the base and from mining sites to places where resources are taken out or where the soil is used for building.

Interesting about the technology is that the tracks are not fixed. Since they are unrolled right onto the lunar regolith, FLOAT doesn’t need much site preparation. Robots that can levitate will be able to move over the tracks. Since they don’t have wheels or legs, they don’t have to deal with the sharp regolith and its damaging power.

There is a layer of graphite on the flexible film track that lets diamagnetic levitation happen, and a flex circuit creates electromagnetic thrust. You don’t have to use the third layer, but if you do, it’s a solar panel that will power the system when it’s in the sun. The robots may be different sizes, but the team thinks that every day they can move 100 tons of stuff over several kilometers.

In phase II, six NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) have been moved forward. FLOAT is one of them. A new way to get astronauts to Mars quickly and an idea for a liquid space telescope are two others. For FLOAT, phase II will be all about designing and building a smaller version of the system that will be tested in a moon-like environment. This will also help us learn more about how the environment affects tracks and robots and what else is needed to make this idea a reality.

In a statement, John Nelson, NIAC program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said, “These different, science fiction-like ideas make up a great group of Phase II studies.” “Our NIAC fellows always amaze and inspire us. This class makes NASA think about what’s possible in the future.”

These projects got $600,000 to keep looking into whether they were possible. As the leader of FLOAT, Ethan Schaler from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is in charge. If the system keeps showing what it can do, it could be an important part of life on the Moon by the 2030s.

Phase I projects have also been announced. The ideas include new designs for telescopes, ways to make Mars less dangerous, and even a group of very small spacecraft that could reach our nearest stars in 20 years.

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Astronomy

The Eta Aquariids meteor shower is occurring this month, and its peak can be observed at a specific time

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Currently, Earth is undergoing one of its three most active meteor showers. The Eta Aquariids, remnants of Halley’s comet, are observed during the month of May. During this period, Earth approaches the comet’s orbit at a distance of approximately 9.7 million kilometers (6 million miles), which is close enough to collect residual dust particles.

The Eta Aquariids exhibit a frequency of up to one meteor per minute, although this level of activity is limited to individuals residing near the equator and in the southern tropics. For the rest of the population on Earth, it is anticipated that there will be a more moderate but still highly respectable rate of 10 to 30 meteors per hour. The optimal time in the Northern Hemisphere is during the pre-dawn period when the sky is at its maximum darkness, particularly in areas located away from urban centers. The midnight hours are also favorable in the Southern Hemisphere.

Allow approximately 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt; thus, it is important to take this into account. The duration of the meteor shower spans from April 19 to May 28 annually. The zenith of meteor activity is anticipated to occur during the nights of May 5th and 6th; however, there is a high probability of observing numerous meteors throughout the entire week.

Our orbit intersects with the orbit of Halley’s comet twice annually. In May, this event results in the occurrence of a meteor shower. In October, the remnants form the Orionid meteor shower. The Eta Aquariids derive their name from their origin at the star Eta Aquarii.

Halley’s comet exhibits significant luminosity and possesses a comparatively brief orbital period, completing one revolution around the sun every 76 years. For a period of more than 2,250 years, humans have been engaged in the act of observing it. The earliest documented sighting of this phenomenon occurred in 240 BCE and was recorded in the Book of Han by Chinese astronomers in 12 BCE. The year 1066 witnessed the depiction of this event in two significant historical records: the Bayeux Tapestry, which documented the Norman Conquest of England, and the petroglyphs created by the Chaco, indigenous Americans in present-day New Mexico.

The appearance of a comet in 1301 inspired Giotto di Bondone to depict the Star of Bethlehem as a comet, which had a lasting influence on its portrayal for the next seven centuries. Although observations had been made for thousands of years, it was not until 1705 that Edmond Halley discovered the periodicity of them.

The most recent observation of the object from Earth occurred in 1986, and it is expected to return to the inner solar system in 2061. Currently, it is returning to its original position after reaching its maximum distance from the sun in December.

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