Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

troutman · 10-27-2011, 10:45 AM

Alien-friendly zone gets extended

http://www.skymania.com/wp/2011/10/a...-extended.html

M dwarf stars are more plentiful than solar type stars, which means there is a good chance of finding a life bearing planet around an M dwarf star. They are much cooler than the Sun and they emit light at much longer wavelengths, which could result in the habitable zone being extended by up to 30 per cent. At longer wavelengths snow and ice reflect less light, and this reflectivity is known as albedo.

The outer edge of the habitable zone is typically defined as the point where carbon dioxide starts to condense. Decreasing the albedo results in this point being pushed outwards. These new revelations have no impact on the inner edge of the habitable zone, which is the point where the oceans evaporate, as any ice and snow cover would be too small to influence the albedo significantly.

10-27-2011, 10:45 AM	#1253
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	Alien-friendly zone gets extended http://www.skymania.com/wp/2011/10/a...-extended.html M dwarf stars are more plentiful than solar type stars, which means there is a good chance of finding a life bearing planet around an M dwarf star. They are much cooler than the Sun and they emit light at much longer wavelengths, which could result in the habitable zone being extended by up to 30 per cent. At longer wavelengths snow and ice reflect less light, and this reflectivity is known as albedo. The outer edge of the habitable zone is typically defined as the point where carbon dioxide starts to condense. Decreasing the albedo results in this point being pushed outwards. These new revelations have no impact on the inner edge of the habitable zone, which is the point where the oceans evaporate, as any ice and snow cover would be too small to influence the albedo significantly.