While direct exposure to high #radiation dose is indeed not favourable for biological activity, ionizing radiation can, and in some cases is known to produce a number of biologically useful products.

One such mechanism is the production of biologically useful products via charged particle-induced #radiolysis.

By combining energy deposition calculations with the energy requirements of microbial cells, it is possible to define the radiolytic #habitable zone for #Mars, #Europa, and #Enceladus, capable of sustaining microbial #metabolism.

Calculations suggest that bacterial cell density could be highest in Enceladus, followed by Mars and Europa.

#life #astrobiology
https://astrobiology.com/2025/07/estimating-the-potential-of-ionizing-radiation-induced-radiolysis-for-microbial-metabolism-on-terrestrial-planets-and-satellites-with-rarefied-atmospheres.html