We now know red dwarf stars have planetary systems. A new study suggests, however, that such planets might not be good candidates to harbor life.
In order to be in the habitable zone of a red dwarf, a planet would have to orbit very close to the star, which would expose that world to extremely powerful solar flares and intense radiation.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Arsia Mons
Arsia Mons is a ten-mile high shield volcano on Mars. New research suggests its also a possible abode of life.
The volcano erupted about 210 million years ago, researchers say, when Mars was covered by water ice glaciers. The reasoning is basic: If you have water, an energy source, organic stuff, and enough time, life may arise.
The volcano erupted about 210 million years ago, researchers say, when Mars was covered by water ice glaciers. The reasoning is basic: If you have water, an energy source, organic stuff, and enough time, life may arise.
Friday, June 6, 2014
NRC Endorses Lunar Return
The National Research Council is releasing a report to Congress regarding the future of human spaceflight that endorses a return to the Moon as the next major step out.
The report calls humans on Mars the "horizon goal," but argues a lunar return is important in the shorter term, not least because other nations have expressed interest in an international lunar base program. Such an effort could lay the organizational groundwork for an international Mars program.
The report calls humans on Mars the "horizon goal," but argues a lunar return is important in the shorter term, not least because other nations have expressed interest in an international lunar base program. Such an effort could lay the organizational groundwork for an international Mars program.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
2014 HQ 124
Asteroid 2014 HQ 124 is about 1,100 feet across and will fly by Earth at something around 750,000 miles this weekend.
Even with its size, the asteroid was only discovered two months ago. Were it to hit Earth, it would pack the power of a hydrogen bomb.
Even with its size, the asteroid was only discovered two months ago. Were it to hit Earth, it would pack the power of a hydrogen bomb.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Kapetyn b
Kapetyn b is a super Earth only 13.5 light years away. It's also in the habitable zone of its red dwarf parent star.
Astronomers put the age of Kapetyn b at 11.5 billion years-- just 2 billion years younger than the universe itself-- making it the oldest world capable of supporting life yet found.
Astronomers put the age of Kapetyn b at 11.5 billion years-- just 2 billion years younger than the universe itself-- making it the oldest world capable of supporting life yet found.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Mega Earth
Astronomers have found a rocky world 17 times as massive as Earth. Labeled Kepler-10c, they're calling it a "mega Earth."
Kepler-10c is not likely to support life as it orbits too close to its star, but it seems to be very old, suggesting rocky worlds could have formed early on. That would have implications for life.
Kepler-10c is not likely to support life as it orbits too close to its star, but it seems to be very old, suggesting rocky worlds could have formed early on. That would have implications for life.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Metallicity
A new study finds a relationship between the metallicity of a star-- that is, the amount of metals a star contains-- and the size of its planets. The higher the percentage of metals, the larger the planets.
Astronomers, by the way, count as metals all elements except hydrogen and helium.
Astronomers, by the way, count as metals all elements except hydrogen and helium.
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