• marcos@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    5 days ago

    It’s really weird that Venus doesn’t have them, but are we sure about Europa?

    • Sabin10@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      5 days ago

      Isn’t that because it doesn’t have a large moon constantly kneading the planet with tidal forces?

      • Cocodapuf@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        4 days ago

        That’s my understanding. The moon is probably why we have plate tectonics, and plate tectonics is probably why our surface contains all the elements for life.

        So in other words, a relatively massive moon orbiting relatively close may be the secret to why there’s life on earth. (Also, the planet needs to be not tidally locked to that moon)