Re:Two potentially life-friendly planets found orbiting a ne...
by umeshunni on Tuesday June 18, 2019 @01:22PM
(#20215615)
Wouldn't planets orbiting this close to the star be tidally locked to it? If they are tidally locked to the star, they are also likely to have extreme temperature variations between the two sides. This could rule out life.
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Re:Two potentially life-friendly planets found orbiting a ne...
by vikasnair on Tuesday June 18, 2019 @01:49PM
(#20215994)
If that’s true, as it is true for planets in the TRAPPIST system, then at least there is a potential for life to develop around the thin longitudinal slices located more centrally, where climate may be more temperate.
Also see this comment below, something I wasn’t aware of: https://news.ycombinator.com/reply?id=20212953&goto=item%3Fi...
I’m curious- at the end of the article, one of the scientists remarks that the stars might be “zipping around” their host star faster than measurements predict, which could rule out potential for life. Is this referring to your suspicion re: proximity => tidal locking => extreme temperatures? Or is there some way that speed of orbit can affect potential for life?