If an earth-like planet is too close to a red star, would possible life be impeded by intense solar radiation?
Question:
Also, is this the first time that scientists have searched the vicinity of red dwarfs for planets?
It seems that since red dwarfs are small, orbiting planets would be more likely to cause a wobble in the star making the planets easier to detect. And smaller planets would also have an effect, so the higher possibility of detecting more earthlike planets.
Answer:
Life is very adaptable ..as can be seen On our Own Planet., In the circumstance in which a planet roughly similar to the Earth..in size and chemical composition even if rotating around a red dwarf...if the chemical compostion of the planets atmosphere is similar to Earths..then the likelihood that biological life has evolved and adapted to its Local Solar and Planetary Environment cannot be ruled out. We do not know all the conditions under which life could evolve ..therefore to say that life could not have evolved on such a world would be in my opinion..shortchanging life.
My guess would be yes. Even though it is a smaller, dimmer star the radiation would still be intense at 'close' range. Close being relative on those scales.
Planets have been found around red dwarfs before. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/red_dwarf...
and scroll down to 'Planets'.
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