Message #252351

[Uriel]

 Marshall Odom

Planetary atmospheres are constantly subjected to the impact of charged cosmic particles, with the majority originating from the host star’s stellar winds. The cosmic particles are highly pressurized and when the stellar wind is strong, they slam against the magnetosphere, potentially eroding bits of atmosphere if the magnetosphere is not strong enough. Planets with strong magnetic fields like the Earth are better equipped to deflect these particles, making them more suitable for life. A planet’s potential to sustain life is dependent upon its proximity to the host star; the ideal location is not too close and not too far from the host star in a region known as the ‘Goldilocks’ zone or habitable zone. Since red dwarfs are significantly cooler than our Sun, their ‘Goldilocks’ zone would be located much closer in than in our Solar System. Planets in this zone are at the ideal temperature to sustain liquid water. Another essential quality is a relatively dense atmosphere.

New research indicates if the Earth was orbiting a red dwarf (just as it orbits our Sun) along the inner edge of the ‘Goldilocks’ zone, the magnetosphere would only extend out 35,000 km (21,748 mi) and could buckle under the intense pressure from the star’s magnetic field, smashing into the Earth’s surface . In order to sustain life, planets in this habitable zone must have very strong magnetic fields or be further away from the host star, decreasing the chance of having liquid water. If the pressure from a star’s magnetic field is too intense, the planet’s atmosphere may be slowly ripped apart leaving the planet uninhabitable.