Harry Coumnas Shares his Views on Existence of Life on Solar System’s Natural Satellites

Being a renowned scientist, Harry Coumnas shares his views on the existence of life on solar system’s natural satellites. Planets, asteroids, and comets orbit around the stars such as Sun and so can be thought of as natural satellites. With eight official planets as well as millions of minor planets, asteroids, comets, and other objects orbiting around the sun, these can be thought of as natural satellites. These satellites are held in orbit by the attraction of gravity between the satellite and the object it is orbiting.

According to Harry, there are certain environmental differences that can make the natural satellites, including moon, of particular interest in the search for extraterrestrial life. Although various scientists consider the probability of life on natural satellites within the Solar System to be remote, the possibility has not been ruled out. Within the Solar System’s traditional habitable zone, the only candidate satellites are the Moon, Phobos and Deimos, and none of these has an atmosphere or water in liquid form. 

Harry Coumnas went through various studies and made a point that natural satellites are predicted to greatly outnumber planets and it is hypothesized that habitability factors are likely to be similar to those of planets. 

Pertaining to stabilizing the axial tilt of the Earth, Moon has played an important role. It thus reduces the impact of gravitational perturbations from the other planets and ensures only moderate climate variations throughout the planet. 

Harry Coumnas believes that the sixth largest moon of Saturn, “Enceladus”, he feels is the best bet for extraterrestrial life. An icy moon with the presence of life supporting elements, like organic molecules, water, etc.; Enceladus certainly seems habitable.