A study, published in the journal Astrobiology led by researchers from Washington University, has identified 24 'superhabitable planets' that is better for life than Earth, reported by the Next Web.
These superhabitable planets have stars that are possibly friendlier to life than the Sun on the Solar system. Additionally, it is believed that these superhabitable systems are warmer, wetter, larger, and older than Earth.
According to the researchers, stars that are older than the Sun allow solar systems to foster life. Astronomers will be able to identify where to look for extraterrestrial life by cataloging superhabitable systems like what the researchers have recently discovered.
The Superhabitability Criteria
The astronomers have created a superhabitability criteria in which habitability is based on the presence of the conditions needed for life to thrive on a planet. They examined systems at G stars that have short lifespans of below 10 billion years ago, such as the Sun, and the systems with K dwarf stars.
K dwarf stars are smaller, cooler, and older with a lifespan ranging from 20 to 70 billion years which means that the planets orbiting around them could also be older which allows life to advance like on Earth that is estimated to be only 4.5 billion years old.
Moreover, the astronomers looked at planets that are 10% bigger than Earth. The larger it is could mean that there is more habitable land too. Also, they looked for planets that have higher masses that would allow the planet to keep its interior heating retained for longer, and those planets with stronger gravity to keep the atmosphere for longer.
Of course, water is also essential in fostering life, so a planet without it is not considered habitable. They also considered planets with slightly higher than five degrees temperature than Earth to be better for life, Sky News reported.
However, not one of the 24 planets discovered have passed all of the criteria. But one of them was able to meet four of the critical characteristics that may make it more comfortable for life than Earth.
According to Professor Dirk Schulze-Makuch, it is sometimes challenging to convey the concept of superhabitable planets because most people believe that the Earth is the best planet for life to thrive. But many different l can survive in extreme conditions.
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The Continuous Search for Habitable Planets in the Universe
In the years to come, PLATO space telescope from the European Space Agency, the James Web Space Telescope, and LUVIOR space observatory continue their search for planets around other suns.
The first signs of life that are likely to be detected in the chemical markers of life in the atmosphere of the distant planets. The researchers said that it is also the least conclusive way of finding extraterrestrial life which leads to significant doubt among the researchers and the public when the news of the presence of extraterrestrial life is announced.
But researchers note that even the superhabitable planets are likely to present significant problems to live. For instance, perfect temperatures could also mean that it is inundated with sulfuric acid rain.
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