The "Goldilocks zone" ...
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a place that's not too hot, not too cold, but just right for the existence of liquid water and conceivably life ... planet hunters have discovered the first quintuple-planet system containing planets that may have moons capable of supporting life [^] Steve
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a place that's not too hot, not too cold, but just right for the existence of liquid water and conceivably life ... planet hunters have discovered the first quintuple-planet system containing planets that may have moons capable of supporting life [^] Steve
Goldilocks Zone is important, but for life to occur, there are other, perhaps less obvious things that are "probably" a requirement. The Mass of the planet has to be within certain parameters, too small it will not retain an atmosphere, to large it becomes much more difficult for life as gravity and wind forces will curtail development. The Planet needs a liquid core. This is important, as a liquid core gives rise to a strong magnetic field. This is in turn important as it helps deflect the solar winds. A large moon is useful. Two reasons here, tidal forces allow for faster changes in environment, and that helps drive evolution, also a large mass satellite helps to stablise the rotation of the planet. The presence of Superlarge outer planets. They vacuum up the other asteroidal and cometry remains in the system, reducing the risk of collision later. Also required is a star of the right type, yellow dwarf is good as we know. Blue Giants are bad, first they produce LOADS of heat and stellar radiation, plus many Z Radiation items. Also they have much shorter lives. Being not too close to too many other stars is important as well, because you require less risk of nearby novae or GRB's. However, given these limitations, there must be Billions of planets CAPABLE of supporting life, some of whom, would have life, several of which have advanced life, so we should keep shouting!:)
------------------------------------ Happy Primes Lead to Happy Memories. Don't Google FGI
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Goldilocks Zone is important, but for life to occur, there are other, perhaps less obvious things that are "probably" a requirement. The Mass of the planet has to be within certain parameters, too small it will not retain an atmosphere, to large it becomes much more difficult for life as gravity and wind forces will curtail development. The Planet needs a liquid core. This is important, as a liquid core gives rise to a strong magnetic field. This is in turn important as it helps deflect the solar winds. A large moon is useful. Two reasons here, tidal forces allow for faster changes in environment, and that helps drive evolution, also a large mass satellite helps to stablise the rotation of the planet. The presence of Superlarge outer planets. They vacuum up the other asteroidal and cometry remains in the system, reducing the risk of collision later. Also required is a star of the right type, yellow dwarf is good as we know. Blue Giants are bad, first they produce LOADS of heat and stellar radiation, plus many Z Radiation items. Also they have much shorter lives. Being not too close to too many other stars is important as well, because you require less risk of nearby novae or GRB's. However, given these limitations, there must be Billions of planets CAPABLE of supporting life, some of whom, would have life, several of which have advanced life, so we should keep shouting!:)
------------------------------------ Happy Primes Lead to Happy Memories. Don't Google FGI
Dalek Dave wrote:
so we should keep shouting
WHAT IF THEY DON'T LIKE NOISY NEIGHBORS?
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Goldilocks Zone is important, but for life to occur, there are other, perhaps less obvious things that are "probably" a requirement. The Mass of the planet has to be within certain parameters, too small it will not retain an atmosphere, to large it becomes much more difficult for life as gravity and wind forces will curtail development. The Planet needs a liquid core. This is important, as a liquid core gives rise to a strong magnetic field. This is in turn important as it helps deflect the solar winds. A large moon is useful. Two reasons here, tidal forces allow for faster changes in environment, and that helps drive evolution, also a large mass satellite helps to stablise the rotation of the planet. The presence of Superlarge outer planets. They vacuum up the other asteroidal and cometry remains in the system, reducing the risk of collision later. Also required is a star of the right type, yellow dwarf is good as we know. Blue Giants are bad, first they produce LOADS of heat and stellar radiation, plus many Z Radiation items. Also they have much shorter lives. Being not too close to too many other stars is important as well, because you require less risk of nearby novae or GRB's. However, given these limitations, there must be Billions of planets CAPABLE of supporting life, some of whom, would have life, several of which have advanced life, so we should keep shouting!:)
------------------------------------ Happy Primes Lead to Happy Memories. Don't Google FGI
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a place that's not too hot, not too cold, but just right for the existence of liquid water and conceivably life ... planet hunters have discovered the first quintuple-planet system containing planets that may have moons capable of supporting life [^] Steve
I'd hate to be on one of those planets in the "Goldilocks zone" when a gas giant passes in front of the system's sun. Well there goes my stash of suntan lotion
All things being equal, tommorrow will never equal today
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Goldilocks Zone is important, but for life to occur, there are other, perhaps less obvious things that are "probably" a requirement. The Mass of the planet has to be within certain parameters, too small it will not retain an atmosphere, to large it becomes much more difficult for life as gravity and wind forces will curtail development. The Planet needs a liquid core. This is important, as a liquid core gives rise to a strong magnetic field. This is in turn important as it helps deflect the solar winds. A large moon is useful. Two reasons here, tidal forces allow for faster changes in environment, and that helps drive evolution, also a large mass satellite helps to stablise the rotation of the planet. The presence of Superlarge outer planets. They vacuum up the other asteroidal and cometry remains in the system, reducing the risk of collision later. Also required is a star of the right type, yellow dwarf is good as we know. Blue Giants are bad, first they produce LOADS of heat and stellar radiation, plus many Z Radiation items. Also they have much shorter lives. Being not too close to too many other stars is important as well, because you require less risk of nearby novae or GRB's. However, given these limitations, there must be Billions of planets CAPABLE of supporting life, some of whom, would have life, several of which have advanced life, so we should keep shouting!:)
------------------------------------ Happy Primes Lead to Happy Memories. Don't Google FGI
Dalek Dave wrote:
This is important, as a liquid core gives rise to a strong magnetic field.
It's no wonder that I keep screwing up compasses then. I do like my liquid core.:-D
Deja View - the feeling that you've seen this post before.
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Dalek Dave wrote:
so we should keep shouting
WHAT IF THEY DON'T LIKE NOISY NEIGHBORS?
Software Zen:
delete this;DOESNT MATTER! UNTIL THEY GET HERE, WE HAVE LONG SINCE DIED OUT! Probably overheated our planet with CO2 by using fossile fuel. fat_boy-bait
Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all.
Douglas Adams, "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency"