NASA confirms that Ceres had conditions for life 3 billion years ago

NASA revealed that Ceres may have had conditions that could have supported life billions of years ago. Recent studies show evidence of hot water sources and essential gases that were maintained within its interior.

This research provides new evidence about the early habitability of celestial bodies other than Mars or Jupiter. It reinforces the idea that dwarf planets can also offer environments conducive to life.

Research confirming potential habitability

The study, led by Sam Courville and published on August 20, used chemical and thermal models that simulate the internal evolution of Ceres over millions of years. The results indicate that its subsurface contained hot water and gases such as methane and carbon dioxide about 3 billion years ago.

These resources were expelled from a metamorphosed rocky core, and they match the presence of water confirmed by the Dawn mission in 2018. The brightest spots on its surface correspond to areas with mineral salts, remnants of liquid originating from the subsurface.

The impact of hydrothermal fluids

According to Courville, on Earth, hot water mixed with the ocean creates an environment rich in chemical energy, ideal for microbes. Determining whether Ceres had a similar flow of hydrothermal fluids would help to better understand its habitable past.

Current conditions of Ceres

Today, Ceres is a cold and dry world. The radioactive heat that once allowed the existence of liquids is no longer sufficient, transforming the water into concentrated brine. However, scientists do not rule out that the dwarf planet may have had periods in which life could have been possible.