Zelos Project
Speculative Evolution
The Planet
DY1242021-B (Zelos)
This rocky exoplanet is roughly 2.5 times larger then earth and sits comfortably in its stars habitable zone roughly 1.8 AU away from DY124-2021.
The atmosphere is made up approximately 70% hydrogen and has a methane based carbon cycle giving the skies a yellowish tint. The plant life on Zelos uses “Hydrogenic photosynthesis” which requires 5 to 10 times less energy to build a given mass of biomass from methane as oxygenic photosynthesis requires to build the same amount of biomass from carbon dioxide on earth.
Early Signs of Life
The early life on DY1242021-B started similar to that of life on earth. Single celled organisms dominated the biosphere before evolving into more complex forms, eventually moving onto land to take advantage of the untapped resources located there. Heterotrophs would breathe in hydrogen, use it to reduce complex organic molecules, produces energy in the process, and breathe out methane (and possible nitrogen as well) though this produces less energy then aerobic respiration here on earth the hydrogen rich atmosphere compensates for it.
Evolution of Life on Zelos
Life has and continues to evolve in a variety of interesting and creative ways. Most of the life on Zelos follow a similar body plan but the unique ways that each organism has adapted to its environment make them stand out from each other.
