Habitable moons around extrasolar giant planets
Article Abstract:
The planetary objects discovered orbiting nine different main-sequence stars are deemed unlikely to support Earth-like life as these do not have neither a liquid nor solid surface for organisms to dwell in. However, the rocky moons orbiting these companion objects may be habitable if the planet-moon system orbits the parent star within the 'habitable zone.' Companions to the stars 16 Cygni B and 47 Ursae Majoris might qualify as habitable. They would only need to be large enough to retain a substantial atmosphere and would have to possess a strong magnetic field to protect its atmosphere from the bombardment of energetic ions from the planet's magnetosphere.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Life on other moons
Article Abstract:
The suitability of moons in supporting life forms is discussed. A 'habitable zone' is defined as the range of orbital distances within which worlds can maintain liquid water on their surfaces, reflecting the dependence of terrestrial life on water for survival. Some moons of the extrasolar giants might be able to support extraterrestrial life, as long as they are massive and has a magnetic field for protection against atmospheric loss. However, until a means of detecting other worlds have been discovered, most exobiology studies will remain mysterious.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Low-latitude glaciation and rapid changes in the Earth's obliquity explained by obliquity-oblateness feedback
Article Abstract:
An explanation for low-latitude glaciation is that the climate was extremely cold in the Precambrian period due to reduced solar luminosity. How ice caps extended to low latitudes without resulting in the extinction of surface life is more difficult to explain. It is proposed that obliquity-oblateness feedback could have reduced the obliquity of the Earth by tens of degrees in less than 100 Myr. The high obliquity could explain the current inclination of the lunar orbit with regard to the ecliptic.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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