Today, with advancements in science and technology, humanity can easily access the universe. We know that Earth is a planet in the Solar System. Within the Solar System, there are 8 planets, but Earth is the only one that supports life. On Earth, there are many species of living organisms, including marine life, terrestrial life, amphibians, and microorganisms… Among them, humans are the most intelligent species.
Discovering Energy Sources from the Moon
After many years of development, humanity has finally stepped out of Earth to explore the surrounding planets. However, human exploration has so far been limited primarily to the Solar System. In human history, the Moon is the celestial body closest to Earth and has been visited by many astronauts.
The Moon is the closest celestial body to Earth and has been visited by many astronauts. (Image: Baidu)
The Chinese Chang’e 5 probe successfully landed on the Moon not long ago, bringing back samples of lunar soil and rock to Earth. The Chang’e 5 probe returned to Earth on December 17, 2020, with 1,731 grams of samples. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has distributed some samples to 13 organizations for research.
After analysis, scientists concluded that the Moon is still a volcanic body from 2 billion years ago. They also discovered a very important energy source on the Moon from these samples. This energy source is helium-3. Many people may not know the role of helium-3. Helium-3 is a light, non-radioactive helium isotope with two protons and one neutron. Many scientists believe that helium-3 is the energy source of the future. Helium-3 can be applied in various ways in life, one of which is as a fusion energy source.
They stated that helium-3 could provide safer nuclear energy in fusion reactors. Unlike other nuclear fusion reactions, the fusion of helium-3 atoms releases a significant amount of energy without causing radiation contamination to the surrounding materials.
From the lunar samples, scientists discovered a new energy source. (Image: Baidu)
Scientists estimate that the reserves of helium-3 on Earth are only about 500 kg, while the Moon contains at least 1 million tons of helium-3. The helium-3 from the Moon could provide enough energy for humanity on Earth for over 10,000 years. For decades, humanity’s fusion reactors have been hindered by various technological challenges. Therefore, the abundant supply of helium-3 from the Moon is a crucial factor that could change the “game.”
The reason the Sun can burn for 10 billion years is due to the nuclear fusion occurring in its core. According to scientists, the Sun fuses hydrogen into helium. Four hydrogen nuclei within the core of the Sun merge into one helium atom. Every second, the Sun fuses about 600 million tons of hydrogen into helium in its core, resulting in 4 million tons of matter being converted into energy.
In addition to mining resources on the Moon, scientists also plan to search on Mars and Venus. (Image: Baidu)
Each time four hydrogen nuclei in the core of the Sun fuse, it loses 0.0276 units of mass, equivalent to a loss of 0.0069 units per gram of hydrogen. This lost mass is converted into energy, which is then absorbed by other celestial bodies. The energy that Earth receives in one second from the Sun is approximately 2.2 billion joules.
Scientists say we should not underestimate the 2.2 billion joules of energy that Earth receives from the Sun, as this amount is equivalent to the total energy obtained from burning 1 million tons of coal on Earth. Therefore, the energy produced by nuclear fusion is enormous. This is also why scientists are conducting research on controllable nuclear fusion reactions.
Risks from Samples Found on Mars
In the future, with technological advancements, humans may easily exploit resources on the Moon, and even on Mars and Venus. However, the surface temperature of Venus is about 460 degrees Celsius. At such high temperatures, life cannot exist. Therefore, scientists have decided to shift energy exploitation to Mars, as the environment of this planet is much more favorable than that of Venus.
However, they must first collect samples from Mars for study. The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has planned to bring soil and rock from Mars back to Earth. Nonetheless, some scientists have voiced concerns, arguing that extraterrestrial viruses could also enter through these samples and harm Earth.
Scientists worry that life forms on the surface of Mars could harm Earth if samples are brought back. (Image: Baidu)
They argue that while Mars is cold today, it resembles Earth in its early stages. The landscape on Mars records the activity of liquid surface water, possibly as early as 3.9 billion years ago. Water has always been regarded as the origin of life.
According to research recently published in the journal Science, led by NASA astronomer Amy Williams, similarities have been identified between the Jezero crater on Mars and a lush river plain, similar to Earth’s river plains. The shape of the three bottom layers indicates the presence of stable water flow from very early on. They concluded that Mars was once warm and wet enough to support a hydrological cycle 3.7 billion years ago.
Furthermore, the discovery of a lake beneath the southern polar ice cap and methane in the Martian atmosphere (which varies with the seasons and even throughout the day) further supports the possibility of life on Mars. Methane is significant because it can be produced by biological processes.
While they consider this risk low, it is not impossible. (Image: Baidu)
Many scientists have reminded NASA that they need to ensure there are no extraterrestrial viruses that could infect Earth. Peter Doran, a geologist at Louisiana State University, stated: “I think the probability of finding living organisms on the surface of Mars is very low. However, we must be cautious about all possibilities.”
In response to these concerns, NASA has stated that they will not overlook any potential dangers, no matter how small. The agency has plans to bring rock samples back to Earth by early 2030. NASA also announced that they will sterilize all samples, including containers or materials that have been in contact with Mars.
