Planetologist Paolo Sossi focuses his research on a question that directly affects us: why life appeared on Earth and not elsewhere. His work reveals that our planet and Venus had similar origins, with oceans of magma and dense CO₂ atmospheres. Although he now studies extreme worlds, his final reflection is a reminder of the value of our home.
Recreating primitive atmospheres in the laboratory 🔬
To understand the divergence between Earth and Venus, Sossi and his team simulate the conditions of their formation. In a high-temperature furnace, they heat synthetic rock until it melts, creating a magma ocean similar to the primitive one. Then, they analyze how gases interact with that magma, determining the composition of the initial atmosphere. This technique allows deducing the pressure and temperature conditions from 4.5 billion years ago.
A one-way ticket... better not, thanks 🛋️
Despite dedicating his life to studying distant planets, like the scorching 55 Cancri e, Sossi shows exemplary pragmatism. He confesses that he would hesitate to board a ship with no return destination. Apparently, after analyzing suffocating atmospheres and lava surfaces, he has reached a scientific conclusion: his sofa, with just the right gravity and abundant oxygen, is a quite acceptable place. Exploration is fine, but with a return ticket.