In the much-anticipated sci-fi film Dune: Part Two, now playing in theaters, viewers are transported to the captivating desert planet of Arrakis. This otherworldly destination is characterized by its scarcity of water and the presence of deadly sandworms lurking beneath the surface. As the only known source of the valuable space travel resource known as spice, Arrakis becomes the epicenter of conflict and intrigue. But as viewers ponder the science behind this fantastical world, planetary scientists and biologists have also begun examining the plausibility of Arrakis and other beloved sci-fi planets.

Renowned scientist Mohamed Noor, a biologist with expertise in making fantasy seem realistic, has posed thought-provoking questions about the potential existence of creatures such as giant sandworms. Noor, who also serves as a science consultant for the Star Trek franchise, wonders about their sustenance and energy source. He muses, "What does this thing eat? How does it derive mass and energy?" Noor admits that while the concept of an atomic reactor inside the sandworm's belly may seem far-fetched, he contemplates whether the underground ecosystem of Arrakis could support such immense creatures.

Interestingly, Noor notes that the behavior of the sandworms does align with some familiar patterns found in Earth's species. Like many organisms on our planet, these formidable creatures utilize vibrations to locate their prey—a behavior that adds a touch of realism to their portrayal onscreen.

Another expert sharing insights on the plausibility of life on desert worlds like Arrakis is astrobiologist and planetary scientist Michael Wong. He raises doubts about the presence of oxygen-generating plant life on such arid planets, given the absence of water and vegetation. While Wong acknowledges the theoretical possibility of oxygen production through photochemistry—a process driven by light—he considers it improbable in these harsh environments.

Overall, both Wong and Noor agree that science fiction often draws inspiration from reality, blurring the boundaries between the fantastical and the plausible. In fact, Wong highlights the commonalities between sci-fi narratives and actual scientific endeavors, noting the inclusion of a Europa mission in the upcoming second season of Star Trek: Picard, mirroring NASA's real-life plans to explore the icy moon of Jupiter.

For those seeking deeper insights into the science behind their favorite fictional worlds, Short Wave invites its audience to reach out via email at shortwave@npr.org. Listeners can also enjoy the Short Wave podcast on popular platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. Moreover, supporters can access ad-free episodes and show their backing for Short Wave's work by subscribing to Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.