Light and Life: Exotic Photosynthesis in Binary Star Systems
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
2015-05-30 v1 Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Abstract
The potential for hosting photosynthetic life on Earth-like planets within binary/multiple stellar systems was evaluated by modelling the levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) such planets receive. Combinations of M and G stars in: (i) close-binary systems; (ii) wide-binary systems and (iii) three-star systems were investigated and a range of stable radiation environments found to be possible. These environmental conditions allow for the possibility of familiar, but also more exotic forms of photosynthetic life, such as infrared photosynthesisers and organisms specialised for specific spectral niches.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1110.3728,
title = {Light and Life: Exotic Photosynthesis in Binary Star Systems},
author = {J. T. O'Malley-James and J. A. Raven and C. S. Cockell and J. S. Greaves},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1110.3728},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
Accepted for publication in: Astrobiology