Life evolving on a planet revolving a red dwarf?

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    Life Planet red dwarf
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential for life to evolve on planets orbiting red dwarf stars. Participants explore the conditions necessary for habitability, the implications of red dwarf characteristics, and the likelihood of such planets existing in the galaxy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the frequency band of light emitted by red dwarfs could be suitable for photosynthesis, but emphasize that the habitable zone is much narrower compared to G-type stars.
  • There is a proposal that the energy dynamics between incoming radiation and outgoing infrared could limit the complexity of life to simpler forms, unless geological activity provides additional energy sources.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the prevalence of such planets, suggesting they would be extremely rare and only capable of supporting simple life forms like bacteria.
  • Another viewpoint posits that life could arise under a variety of conditions, including alternative biochemistries, and that the long lifespan of red dwarfs may allow for numerous attempts at life to emerge.
  • Some participants argue that despite the narrow habitable zone, the longevity of red dwarfs could enable life to develop at a rate comparable to that around our Sun.
  • There is a concern raised that a very narrow habitable zone might mean that even with a long stellar lifetime, no planets may exist within that zone to support life.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the likelihood of life evolving around red dwarfs, with no consensus reached. Some believe such planets are rare and may only support simple life, while others argue that the conditions for life could be more diverse and resilient than traditionally thought.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights uncertainties regarding the specific conditions required for life and the implications of red dwarf characteristics on habitability. There are unresolved questions about the definitions of habitability and the assumptions underlying the proposed models of life evolution.

Gold Barz
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Could it happen or is it very unlikely?
 
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Well I would think the most intense frequency band from a red dwarf would be suilable for photosynthesis, since it uses photons in the deep red frequency band. The planet would have to be in a very special orbit, since the habitable zone would be much narrower than that for a G-type like the Sun.

The free energy gap between the incoming radiation from the star and the outgoing infrared of the heated planet would be much narrower too, which would suggest only simple life. Of course if the planet had live tectonics and midocean rifts to supply free energy, all bets are off.
 
So do you think these planets are out there in the galaxy, many of them?

Also, there is another question in the PM I sent you...thanks.
 
As I replied in the PM, I think these planets would be extemely rare. And I'm talking about planets with some bacteria, not comfortable planets for humans.
 
It seems to me that there are very few conditions under which life can't develop. To start with, nothing is said about the basis of that life. It could use a sulphur metabolism, or be silicon based, or maybe even a plasma field with a coherent internal 'neurology' based upon charge exchanges. Just looking at Earth, who would suspect that one lifeform evolved living on the brink of undersea volcanic vents or that some lichen thingie is happy at subzero temperatures with no air? The life span of a red dwarf is so long that trillions of experimental attempts by random molecules to join into 'life' can take place. It's entirely possible that at least one of them is viable.
 
So, life is against all odds then in the galaxy because...red dwarfs make up like 4 out of 5 planets in the galaxy and 60% of the stars are in binary systems.
 
Gold Barz said:
So, life is against all odds then in the galaxy because...red dwarfs make up like 4 out of 5 planets in the galaxy and 60% of the stars are in binary systems.
There is life on Earth, and there has been for about 75% of its existence.

A red dwarf might have a smaller habitable zone, but a long quiescent lifetime might allow life to arise and develop at a rate similar to, or perhaps superior to, the emergence of life around our own star, adjusted for the lifetime of the star.
 
But if it has a very narrow habitable zone then it could last for gazillions of years and still not have life evolve because there is no planet in that narrow habitable zone.
 

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