Scientists have named five binary star systems potentially habitable

A newly developed mathematical framework has allowed researchers at New York University

Abu Dhabi and University of Washington showthat these systems are constantly in the “habitable zone”. This is the region around stars in which liquid water could exist on the surface of any yet undiscovered terrestrial planets. The probability of the emergence of life is greatest precisely in such a habitable zone in the vicinity of a star (circumstellar habitable zone, CHZ), which is located in the galactic habitable zone (GHZ), although research into the latter is still in its infancy.

All the planets recently explored by scientists are located between 2764 and 5933 light years from Earth in the constellations of Lyra and Cygnus.

It is known that of these systems, Kepler-64 hasat least four stars orbiting each other in the center, while others have two. They also all have at least one giant planet the size of Neptune or larger. New research shows that the presence of giant planets in binary systems does not preclude the existence of potentially life-supporting worlds. Scientists note that Kepler-34, -35, -64, -413 and especially Kepler-38 are suitable for worlds with oceans similar to Earth.

12 exoplanets discovered by Kepler are rotatingaround a pair of nearby stars. Binary systems are common and are estimated to make up between half and three-quarters of all star systems. So far, only giant exoplanets have been discovered in binary systems, but it is likely that smaller, Earth-like planets and moons have simply eluded detection. It is believed that gravitational interactions within multistellar systems will make conditions more hostile to the origin and survival of life. Especially if they contain other large bodies such as giant planets. However, a new study has shown that persistent habitable zones are maintained in the Kepler-34, -35, -38, -64 and -413 systems. The width of these zones is 0.4–1.5 astronomical units (AU). Recall that the distance of the Earth to the Sun is 1 AU. e.

In their work, scientists drew on previous research to predict the existence, location and extent of the permanent habitable zone in binary systems with giant planets.

Read more

It became clear why scientists call the wrong planets suitable for life

The first accurate map of the world was created. What's wrong with everyone else?

They support the universe: how the four main forces of nature work