Published May 1, 2018
| Version v1
Journal article
Is life most likely around Sun-like stars?
Creators
- 1. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 (United States)
Description
We consider the habitability of Earth-analogs around stars of different masses, which is regulated by the stellar lifetime, stellar wind-induced atmospheric erosion, and biologically active ultraviolet (UV) irradiance. By estimating the timescales associated with each of these processes, we show that they collectively impose limits on the habitability of Earth-analogs. We conclude that planets orbiting most M-dwarfs are not likely to host life, and that the highest probability of complex biospheres is for planets around K- and G-type stars. Our analysis suggests that the current existence of life near the Sun is slightly unusual, but not significantly anomalous.
Availability note (English)
Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2018/05/020Additional details
Identifiers
Publishing Information
- Journal Title
- Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
- Journal Volume
- 2018
- Journal Issue
- 05
- Journal Page Range
- p. 020
- ISSN
- 1475-7516
INIS
- Country of Publication
- United Kingdom
- Country of Input or Organization
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- INIS RN
- 51061938
- Subject category
- S79: ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY;
- Descriptors DEI
- BIOSPHERE; MASS; PLANETS; RADIANT FLUX DENSITY; STARS; STELLAR WINDS; ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
- Descriptors DEC
- ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; FLUX DENSITY; RADIATIONS; STELLAR ACTIVITY