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Loren Booda
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Have population II stars been observed or speculated to have planets?
Planets of population II stars are planets that orbit around stars that belong to the population II category. These are typically older stars that have a lower metallicity (amount of elements heavier than helium) compared to population I stars, and are found in the galactic halo or globular clusters.
It is unlikely that planets of population II stars can support life as these stars are typically much older and have a lower metallicity, which can affect the formation of rocky planets and the potential for habitability.
To date, there have been a few known planets that orbit around population II stars, but the number is significantly lower compared to the number of planets discovered around population I stars.
It is possible to observe planets of population II stars through various methods such as radial velocity and transit photometry. However, these planets are often smaller and have longer orbital periods, making them more challenging to detect compared to planets around population I stars.
Planets of population II stars differ from other exoplanets in terms of their host stars and their location in the galaxy. They are typically found in the outer regions of the galaxy and orbit around older, metal-poor stars, which can have implications for their composition and potential for habitability.