The Milky Way, Proxima Centauri.
With the Type-R Spacecraft's rapid speed, it took them less than 15 minutes to fly to a position seven million kilometers away from the red dwarf.
Everyone could clearly see the solid planet that was about the same size as Earth, but its color was rusty red.
From the outside, it was very similar to Mars, but much redder.
This proved that the surface of the planet contained a large amount of metal ores.
When everyone in the livestream who knew something about astronomy saw the planets, their hearts sank at the same time.
Inside the spaceship, the astronauts of the donation group looked at each other and sighed helplessly.
The search for extraterrestrial life had failed …
This planet, which was about the same mass as Earth, had been tidally locked by the red dwarf.
"Friends, it seems like there isn't much to be gained on this planet."
Silently staring at the red world in front of him, Chen Yu shrugged in frustration and said, "It has been tidally locked onto by the red dwarf.
It was unexpected, but reasonable. "
"Due to the low brightness and small mass of a red dwarf, the energy it radiates is very weak.
Therefore, its habitable zone was very, very close.
In that case, it was normal for a planet to be locked by the tides at such a close distance.
For example, the solar system's Mercury and the Earth's moon rotate at the same time, resulting in one hemisphere of eternal day and the other hemisphere of eternal night. "
"In such a complex and extreme environment, information can't be exchanged, and the temperature is also like ice and fire. It's almost impossible for life to be born spontaneously.
Moreover, it's in the innermost circle of the habitable zone, so it's still unknown if it can withstand the ultraviolet radiation from the red dwarf … "
"Actually …" The woman at the Red Coast Astronomical Observatory corrected her as she put on her protective suit. "Tidally locked planets may not necessarily be incapable of producing life.
According to the latest research results of Professor Hu Yongyun of Beijing University's School of Physics, the heat transported by the atmosphere and liquid water from the sun to the dark side is enough to cover the dark side.
Therefore, as long as conditions permit, not only will the atmosphere not freeze on the dark side, but liquid water will also not freeze. "
"Is that so?" Chen Yu, who had a knowledge blind spot, muttered, "There's actually such a saying?"
"Yes." One of the two Japanese astronauts nodded. "The industry generally agrees with this view."
Hearing this, a trace of hope rose in everyone's heart.
When "equipment" had an overwhelming advantage, all humans were eager to see what the aliens looked like.
If he could catch one and raise it in a large cat house, that would be even better …
"But what if this planet doesn't have an atmosphere?" Chen Yu asked quietly.
"No atmosphere?"
"Yes."
He nodded and controlled the spacecraft's telescope technology to zoom in on the distant planet.
On the barren mountain range and the Gobi Desert, there was not a trace of cloud.
[Cold.]
[Why is there no atmosphere at all?
The temperature of a red dwarf is not high!]
[It was obviously blown away by the radiation of the Red Dwarf Star.]
The people of the Three Bodies are indeed in dire straits.
[I suddenly realized that with the UP around, isn't Earth's combat power abnormal?]
"Pa pa."
Clapping his hands, Chen Yu looked toward the donation group's astronauts and asked, "Is there still a possibility of life existing here?"
"… That's all."
"Let's end this quickly then. The two stars outside the red dwarf are the main dish."
"Alright."
"Hey!"
"Ok …"
Due to the lack of an atmosphere, the high-speed descent of the spacecraft did not produce any sparks. It directly reached the surface and opened the cabin door and stairs.
"There will be a temporary space membrane in the middle of the cabin door to prevent the exchange of harmful substances inside and outside, ensuring the safety of the spacecraft.
However, once you step out of the membrane, you can only rely on your spacesuit.
So, make sure to inspect your spacesuit in advance and take responsibility for any accidents that occur. "
After saying so, Chen Yu put on the gauntlet and stepped out of the spacecraft, his feet landing on solid ground.
"Mhm. This is a small step for me, but it is indeed a big step for humanity as a whole.
It's even bigger than Armstrong's step. It's almost to the balls. "
Everyone: "..."
Opening the storage box behind him, Chen Yu pulled out a small red flag and inserted it into the rock. He then smacked his lips and said, "Since ancient times, this place has been China's inherent territory."
Everyone: "..."
"Without an atmosphere, there's no need to talk about temperature and pressure. Everyone, come down."
With Chen Yu's permission, all participants wearing simple spacesuits alighted from the spacecraft one after another. They then silently used the machine to collect samples.
As for the participants without protective suits, they could only lean against the wall and watch helplessly.
"Huh?
Where's Boss Ma? "
Shortly afterward, the people inside the spacecraft discovered that Ma Wuqian and his wife were nowhere to be seen. After carefully searching for them, they discovered that the two had actually disembarked the spacecraft to take photos while wearing brand-new spacesuits.
"You really can do whatever you want with money..." Pillar muttered sourly.
Whoosh —
Activating the plasma engine, Chen Yu flew into the sky and circled around the spacecraft. However, he did not find any intelligent creations, nor did he find any trace of extraterrestrial life.
"This is a desolate planet. It's impossible for life to exist here."
After landing on the ground, Chen Yu collected the stones with special characteristics while explaining to the audience, "I've seen netizens say more than once: Life in the universe is ever-changing. Why do we have to look for life according to human standards?
Don't tell me silicon-based life doesn't exist?
Plasma life?
Or even all kinds of magical life?
Is the imagination of scientists so monotonous?
"In fact, scientists have much more imagination than ordinary people.
The kind of life mentioned by netizens might exist, but we humans have never seen it before. We also don't know the environment and conditions for the survival of such life.
"We only know and understand the life born in Earth's environment. Hence, instead of looking for life according to Earth's model, scientists are searching for other life forms.
Isn't this a lunatic?
"Moreover, if we can't even find the most basic carbon-based life forms, we shouldn't bother looking for other life forms.
After all, carbon-based life forms are the easiest to form in the universe. "
Digging out a slightly round stone from under the rock mass, Chen Yu flicked the dust off it and continued showing off the knowledge he learned through the Quantum Glasses. "As we all know, carbon doesn't easily lose or gain electrons. Naturally, it can't form ionic bonds.
What it can form are covalent bonds.
At the same time, the number of chemical bonds in carbon is very suitable. If it's too little, it won't be able to form various structures, and if it's too much, it will affect its stability.
"Therefore, these carbon atoms can form various long chains, circular chains, branched chains, and countless other forms of change.
In human terms, of all the elements in the universe, only carbon has the highest chance of forming life.
Silicon, which has special chemical bonds, also has a chance of forming life. However, compared to carbon, it's like comparing a star to a small rock.
As for other elements … "
Sneering at the camera, Chen Yu said, "I'm betting on a kidney. If I can give birth to a life form, I'll livestream myself cutting my kidney."
Buzz! Buzz!
As soon as Chen Yu said so, a spherical blue light the size of a ping-pong ball suddenly appeared in front of him out of thin air.
Chen Yu: "???"