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wolram
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if a massive body fails to become a star could it still suport
planetary system?
planetary system?
Sure, it would be called a "mini system" like Jupiter, Saturn, etc. with numerous moons (planets) orbiting around. Anything under ~0.08 solar masses won't start fusion, but other objects can still form and orbit.Originally posted by wolram
if a massive body fails to become a star could it still suport
planetary system?
A massive body "fails" to become a star when it does not have enough mass to sustain nuclear fusion reactions in its core. This failure can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as being too small or not having enough of the right materials.
Yes, a massive body that fails to become a star can still support a planetary system. The formation of planets does not necessarily require a star, as long as there is enough mass and material present to form them. In fact, there are examples of planets orbiting brown dwarfs, which are massive bodies that failed to become stars.
The absence of a star can affect the formation of a planetary system in several ways. Without a star, there is no source of heat and light, which can impact the composition of the planets and their ability to support life. Additionally, the lack of a strong gravitational pull from a star can lead to less stable orbits for the planets.
Yes, there are known examples of planetary systems without a star. These are often referred to as "rogue planets" or "free-floating planets" and can exist on their own in interstellar space. They are thought to have formed in a similar way to planets orbiting stars, but were either ejected from their original system or formed on their own without a star.
It is possible for a planetary system without a star to be habitable for life, but it would likely be very different from our own solar system. Without a star, the planets would not have a source of energy, so any potential life would need to rely on other sources, such as geothermal energy. Additionally, the lack of a star's radiation and solar wind could make it easier for life to survive on these planets. However, the conditions for life on such planets would be very different and may require different forms of life to exist.