Are there planets outside of Earth that could support human life? The answer is possibly, based on a recent analysis by physicists from the University of Texas at Arlington looking into F-type star systems.
Are there planets beyond Earth where humans can live? The answer is maybe, according to a new study from University of Texas at Arlington physicists examining F-type star systems.
Stars are categorized into seven groups based on their surface temperatures and other characteristics such as mass, brightness, and size. F-type stars, which are hotter and more massive than our sun, fall in the middle of this classification. These stars emit a yellowish-white light and have surface temperatures exceeding 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
A habitable zone (HZ) refers to the region around a star where conditions allow for the presence of liquid water on the surfaces of orbiting planets. In the study led by doctoral student Shaan Patel, along with professors Manfred Cuntz and Nevin Weinberg, the researchers conducted a comprehensive statistical examination of the F-type stars known to host planets, utilizing data from the NASA Exoplanet Archive, which compiles information about exoplanets and stars for scientific research.
“F-type stars are typically viewed as promising candidates for supporting environments that could foster life,” stated Dr. Cuntz. “Despite this, they are often overlooked by researchers. Although these stars have shorter lifespans compared to our sun, they boast larger habitable zones, making them relevant in astrobiological research.”
“The systems around F-type stars are fascinating when assessing habitability due to their broader habitable zones,” Patel explained. “HZs are spaces where conditions might allow terrestrial-like planets to potentially support extraterrestrial life.” Extraterrestrial life refers to the potential existence of life beyond our solar system.
After filtering out systems lacking sufficient data, the researchers identified 206 noteworthy systems. “We categorized these into 18 main systems based on their time spent within the habitable zone,” Patel stated.
For instance, the planet HD 111998, also known as 38 Virginis, remains consistently in the habitable zone. Located 108 light-years from Earth, it is considered part of our Solar System’s neighborhood. This planet is 18% more massive and has a radius that is 45% larger than that of the sun, according to Cuntz.
“This planet was discovered in 2016 at La Silla, Chile,” Cuntz mentioned. “It is a gas giant similar to Jupiter, which is not likely to harbor life directly, but it raises interesting possibilities for habitable moons, a growing area of study worldwide, including at UTA.”
“Our future research may explore the possibility of Earth-sized planets and habitable exomoons that are orbited by gas giants in F-type star systems,” Patel added.
Looking ahead, the team plans to study planetary orbits, investigating cases of planets that partially inhabit habitable zones; exploring how planetary habitability relates to stellar changes, especially concerning astrobiological factors; and examining exomoons in different systems.
“This research is made possible by the dedication and effort of the global community of astronomers who have identified over 5,000 planets in the past three decades,” said Dr. Weinberg. “With such a wealth of discovered planets, we can conduct statistical analyses on even the less common systems like those around F-type stars and pinpoint those that may be located in habitable zones.”
