Physicists have figured out how to quickly find Earth-like planets

An international team of scientists has developed a new computational model. It will help determine whether

newly discovered planets support tectonicsplates similar to the earth's. In recent years, astronomers have discovered many planets, mainly thanks to the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) mission. This space telescope, designed for the discovery of exoplanets by the transit method, was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as part of NASA's Minor Exploration Program.

Some of the discovered worlds are called“eggshell planets.” They got their name because of their ultra-thin crust, which is not suitable for supporting tectonics. Earth-like subduction zone plate tectonics are considered an important component of planetary habitability. Its influence is enhanced by volcanism and chemical weathering, which continues for billions of years. These two factors, combined with the presence of some water, regulate the Earth's climate and make the planet habitable. In order to immediately calculate planets unsuitable for life without tectonics, scientists created a new model.

As the authors explain, this is a template, with the helpwhich can predict the nature of plate tectonics on the exoworld. This has already been called the new “Goldilocks parameter” (habitable zone factor). Let us recall that the habitable zone, or Goldilocks zone in astronomy, is a conditional region in space, determined from the calculation that the conditions on the surface of the planets located in it will be close to the conditions on Earth. Most importantly, they must ensure the existence of water in the liquid phase. The difference is that instead of the right water temperature, scientists study the right conditions for plate tectonics.

The results of the study are publishedJournal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

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