Scientists have modeled the location of the habitable zones for stars.
Astrophysics from the Institute named after Carl Sagan found, can around aging stars rotate planet suitable for existence of living organisms. The results of the study can help to understand what will be the fate of the Earth when the Sun expands into a red giant. The article was published in the Astrophysical Journal.
Scientists have modeled the location of the habitable zones for stars who are in the final stages of its existence, and how long planets can remain in these zones. The habitable zone represents the region around a star where a planet has liquid water, necessary for the development of life.
When the star ages, it increases in size, becomes brighter and hotter. The habitable zone moves toward the edge of the planetary system — where before there was only “frozen” worlds. In our Solar system in the outer areas are potentially habitable objects: satellites of Jupiter and Saturn.
Astrophysicists have found that the location of the habitable zone of a red giant depends on initial mass of the parent star. Planets and their satellites can remain habitable for nine billion years — roughly the same as will be in its habitable zone Earth. In a few billion years the Sun will consume mercury and Venus, will transform the Earth and Mars in fiery rocky worlds and begin to warm the outer planets.
Scientists estimate that the residence time of unfrozen planets in the habitable zone could reach half a billion years. Researchers believe that the search for exoplanets near red giants using new high-precision instruments can increase the chances of finding alien life.
