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Why are massive Main Sequence stars unlikely to have planets support life?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
As far as we can know from the one proven example of life we have, it takes a very long time for life to develop and flourish on a particular planet. So it follows that stars which shine with a stable output for a very long time are more likely to host a planet (or maybe two) that are able to support life. Apparently, it takes billions of years to evolve complex life forms.
Our star, the Sun, is an average-sized star. In some ways, it is unremarkable. But where our Sun really shines is in its stable energy output. The Sun's "energy output" varies appreciably only with the passing of centuries or even millennia, not over weeks or months. The Sun is in the middle of its Main Sequence. It is remarkable for its sameness, its stability.
But the most massive stars fuse hydrogen into helium at such a tremendous rate that they spend relatively little time on the Main Sequence. These massive stars would rather burn out than fade away.
The most massive stars are unlikey to have planets harboring life because they produce stable energy only for a few hundred million years, and not billions of years like our home star. This is true based on what we know right now.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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What do Venus and Neptune have in common?
Venus and Neptune have a few things in common. Neither of these planets can support human life. Both of them orbit the Sun.
What are 3 special characteristics of the three outer planets?
The inner and outer planets are The same because The Inner planets are not made out of gas The outer planets are bigger than inners The outer planets are the coldest The Inner planets are rocky The inner planets are terrestrial The outer planets can't support life The inner planets have iron cores The outer are the furthest from the sun The outer planets haveno rocky surface
What is the largest of four rocky planets and the only place known to support life?
earth
What evidence do astronomers use to support the support the hypothesis that there was once tectonic activity on Mercury Venus and Mars?
maybe because planets are stupid
What are the primary characteristics of a inner planets?
Inner planets are those that are closest to the sun. Mars is reddish due to weathered rocks on its surface that contain iron oxide, planet Earth can support life, Venus has a surface covered by an atmosphere that is full of dense clouds and Mercury has many craters and a weak magnetic field.
What are two ways that planets are different from stars?
1) Although planets can be composed primarily of rock or gas, only stars are objects made of gas that are massive enough to support a nuclear fusion reaction. 2) Although planets and stars can orbit stars (as in binary systems), stars never orbit planets.
What do Venus and Neptune have in common?
Venus and Neptune have a few things in common. Neither of these planets can support human life. Both of them orbit the Sun.
Can all planets support life?
It depends on the organisms. If the organism can live in harsh and brutal conditions than yes, planets can support life. The traits of the organisms depend on how it can live in other planets. Only the Sun can't support life.
Do we assume that no life can live on other planets because humans can't?
No. There are life forms on Earth that can survive in extreme conditions where humans can't. The environment on Earth when life first emerged would have been toxic to us. If other planets have these conditions then they may support life. The main ingredient scientists believe to be necessary for life is liquid water. Earth is the only planet known to support liquid water on its surface, but we know very little about the planets that exist outside of our solar system. While it is unlikely that life exists on any of the other planets in our solar system, we have no way of knowing with current technology if planets in other solar systems support life.
How many planets can support life?
2
What sort of planets can support life?
Earth
Can Uranus moons support life?
It is very unlikely.
What are the release dates for Inside Edition - 1988 Quaids Get Unlikely Support?
Inside Edition - 1988 Quaids Get Unlikely Support was released on: USA: 2 November 2010
How elephant skeleton support its massive weight?
it dont son
Is it possible that Uranus could support life?
Highly unlikely
Can planet Ceres support life?
It's very, very unlikely.
Is there life on Ceres?
It is extremely unlikely that Ceres could support life.
