Summarize why Earth’s moon and Mercury have (and had) virtually no chance of hosting life. Use your own words. Adopt quantitative
reasoning (i.e., usage of numbers), if appropriate based on the subject. No copy-and-paste from the text book, internet or PDF (as previously supplied as study material) permitted, however. If you take material from other sources, use direct quotes (placed in “...”). However, sentences dominantly or solely existing out of quotes will not be counted as part of the 10 middle-long meaningful sentences.
Earth's moon and Mercury have virtually no chance of hosting life due to several factors. Firstly, both of these celestial bodies lack a substantial atmosphere. Earth's atmosphere provides protection against harmful solar radiation and regulates temperature, which are crucial for supporting life. Mercury has a very thin atmosphere, consisting mostly of helium and traces of other gases, while the moon has no appreciable atmosphere at all. Without an atmosphere, there is no shielding from cosmic rays or sunlight, making it inhospitable for life.
Secondly, the extreme temperatures on both the moon and Mercury make it challenging for life to exist. Mercury experiences extreme temperature variations, ranging from around 800 degrees Fahrenheit during the day to -290 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Such drastic temperature changes would be detrimental for any form of life. Similarly, the moon's temperature can range from -280 degrees Fahrenheit to over 260 degrees Fahrenheit, making it inhospitable for life as we know it.
Additionally, the absence of liquid water is another crucial factor. Water is essential for life as we know it, and without it, the chances of supporting life decrease significantly. While it is suspected that there might be water ice in the permanently shadowed craters of the moon, the overall lack of water on these celestial bodies makes them unlikely candidates for supporting life.
Furthermore, the lack of geological activity on the moon and Mercury is another reason why they are unlikely to host life. Earth's geological activity, such as volcanic eruptions and tectonic plate movements, plays a vital role in creating and maintaining an environment suitable for life. The moon and Mercury, on the other hand, have minimal geological activity, rendering them unable to provide the necessary conditions for life to thrive.
In conclusion, the lack of atmosphere, extreme temperatures, absence of liquid water, and limited geological activity make Earth's moon and Mercury highly inhospitable for life. These factors, combined with the understanding of life requirements, strongly suggest that these celestial bodies have virtually no chance of supporting life as we know it.