Scientists searching for Earth-type planets should consider two-star systems
To host life, a terrestrial planet orbiting two stars would need to have high levels of greenhouse gases (such as carbon monoxide or methane) in its atmosphere according to the researchers.
A group of astrophysicists from The University of Texas at Arlington plans to expand the discussion about a newly discovered planet orbiting two stars by presenting a study suggesting where an Earth-type planet could exist in the system.
The Kepler-16 System made headlines in September when researchers at NASAò??s Kepler space telescope mission revealed the discovery of Kepler-16b, a cold, gaseous planet orbiting both stars, like Star Warsò?? fictional Tatooine.
The Arlington team, using data from Kepler and previous research, has concluded that an Earth-type planet could exist in the systemò??s ò??habitable zoneò?? as an exo-moon orbiting Kepler-16b. They also think an ò??extended habitable zoneò?? exists outside the orbit of the gaseous planet under certain conditions. To host life in that zone, a terrestrial planet orbiting the two stars would need to have high levels of greenhouse gases (such as carbon monoxide or methane) in its atmosphere the scientists said.
ò??This is an assessment of the possibilities,ò?? said Zdzislaw Musielak from the University of Texas at Austin. ò??Weò??re telling them where a planet has to be in the system to be habitable. Weò??re hoping they will look there.ò??
The Kepler Mission is a space telescope launched by NASA in 2009 that measures light from 150,000 stars. Scientists working with Kepler data look for changes in brightness that suggest a transit, or a planet passing in front of a star. They measure the starò??s luminosity to determine whether the planet is in a ò??habitable zone,ò?? an area where it would have a stable orbit and where conditions hospitable to life could exist.
The Arlington team based their conclusions about an ò??extended habitable zoneò?? outside the orbit of Kepler-16b on work by scientists such as NASAò??s Michael A. Mischna. That research says life could exist outside the traditional habitable zone, but it requires a more extreme planetary atmosphere, one in which chemicals create a strong back-warming effect, Quarles said.
ò??There is less light from the star, so the planet itself has to maintain more heat,ò?? he said.