Astronomy & Astrophysics Seminar: Life on planets of Red-Dwarf stars

Abstract:

The Kepler data show that habitable small planets orbiting Red Dwarf stars (RDs) are abundant, and hence might be promising targets to look for biomarkers and life. A striking demonstration of such technic was the discovery of water in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b, announced three months ago. In a series of recent papers, we show that temperatures suitable for liquid water may exist on tidally locked planets of RDs for a wide range of atmospheres. In particular, it is argued that life clement environments may be possible on tidally locked and synchronously orbiting planets of RDs and K-type stars, with conditions supporting Oxygenic Photosynthesis, which on Earth was a key to Complex life. With the advanced spectral analyses capabilities of JWST and ELT, these results may have major implications to the detection of biomarkers such as liquid water and oxygen, as well as to the abundance of biotic planets and life.

Seminar Organizer: Dr. Omer Bromberg