This audacious conclusion is highlighted in a recent publication within the scientific journal Astrobiology, authored by a team of astrobiologists from Washington State University (WSU-USA) and the University of London (UK).
The study extensively utilizes data gathered from human and robotic moon missions conducted over the years.
Scientists have uncovered compelling evidence that since the moon’s formation around 4 billion years ago, it possessed liquid water and conditions conducive to life development.
This aligns with the prevailing theory of the moon’s formation: a Mars-sized impactor collided with Earth, altering it permanently and leading to the moon’s separation. This is also why the moon shares several components with Earth and could potentially support life similar to Earth. The research team dubs the 4-billion-year mark as the moon’s “first life window.” However, for reasons yet unclear, this early life was short-lived.
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Could an Asteroid Have Brought Life to the Moon, Similar to How Life Was Delivered to Earth? – Image: SHUTTERSTOCK
The second “life window” occurred around 3.5 billion years ago, almost parallel with the emergence of life on Earth (estimated at 3.5 to 3.8 billion years ago). During this time, the moon entered a period of vigorous volcanic activity, providing it with suitable temperatures, liquid water regions, and a sufficiently thick atmosphere.
Astrobiologists speculate that this second form of life may have the same origin as Earth’s life, both possibly brought by an impactor from space (current scientific thought leans towards the idea of life’s origins originating from the cosmos). Another possibility is that some form of life was carried from Earth to the moon by some means.
Regardless of the scenario by which life reached the moon, this second instance of life may have been akin to cyanobacteria – an ancient fossilized type of bacteria found on Earth. However, nature has not favored the moon. Its atmosphere only retained liquid water for a few million years. Natural conditions changed. The moon underwent its second apocalypse. By the time humans arrived, it was a desolate moon. Nevertheless, recent discoveries of ice on the moon and human lunar base projects suggest a not-so-distant future.
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Many scientists believe that the Moon was formed after an asteroid the size of Mars collided with Earth, altering our planet forever – Image: GIZMODO
Entities like NASA are eyeing moon’s volcanic craters. Scientists hope to unearth definitive evidence of life, such as fossils, in upcoming missions.