Planets may not be necessary for life to exist, according to scientists from Harvard and Edinburgh universities. Certain ecosystems, they suggest, can independently create the conditions needed for survival, even in the extreme environment of outer space. This discovery was reported by the Universe Today portal.

An Alternative to Planets

Traditionally, planets are considered the optimal environment for life, as they provide access to liquid water, protect against radiation, and maintain stable temperatures. However, the authors of the new study propose that these functions could be fulfilled by so-called biologically generated structures. These structures, created by organisms themselves, could replace the role of planets.

For instance, some microorganisms, such as bacteria and algae, are capable of constructing protective barriers. These barriers can maintain necessary pressure and temperature, isolate liquid water from the external environment, and use organic materials to shield against radiation and other adverse factors.

Life in Outer Space

According to calculations by the researchers, such bio-structures could exist within one to five astronomical units from the Sun. This range includes the area between Earth’s orbit and Jupiter’s orbit. Scientists claim that these structures could sustain internal conditions suitable for photosynthesis, regulate chemical processes, and protect themselves from intense ultraviolet radiation.

The researchers emphasize that evolution in space conditions could take entirely unique forms. Such ecosystems are likely to differ from anything known on Earth.

If the scientists' hypothesis proves correct, it would significantly broaden our understanding of where and how to search for signs of life beyond our planet. It also raises intriguing questions about what habitable environments might look like in the vastness of space.