Researchers at the University of California have developed a computer model that simulates the evolution of a rocky planet without biological influence. The simulation covers a timeline starting 4.5 billion years ago and extending 500 million years into the future, tracking 19 non-biological parameters including stellar heat, chemical transport between layers, and volcanic gas emissions.
The tool functions as a baseline for comparing data from rocky exoplanets. By inputting specific physical properties of a target planet, astronomers can generate a model of its abiotic evolution. This allows researchers to distinguish between geological processes and potential biological signatures in a planet's atmosphere, helping to filter out false positive biomarkers.
The model integrates previous work from the University of Washington on planetary interiors with new calculations for surface and atmospheric layers. It is designed to assist in prioritizing targets for future observation missions, such as the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory, by identifying planets where atmospheric data deviates from purely geological predictions.
