The Pulsar Habitable Zone

TL;DR

There may be habitable zones around pulsars where super earth planets with thick atmospheres could potentially support life.

Transcript

A common assumption when dealing with habitable zones is that they must necessarily exist around main sequence stars, particularly dwarf or sun like stars. But this is not necessarily the case, other kinds of habitable zones might exist around other objects that under the right conditions could allow life to arise. One such alternative zone is hypo... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤩 Habitable zones around pulsars are an alternative to zones around main sequence stars.
• 🦸 Super earth planets with very thick atmospheres may be able to withstand the harsh conditions of a pulsar and potentially support life.
• 💁 Pulsar planets are likely rare due to the destructive nature of supernovas, making it difficult for atmospheres to form.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is a pulsar and why is it unlikely to have habitable zones?

A pulsar is the remnant of a supernova and emits high levels of X-ray radiation and particle winds that erode atmospheres, making it inhospitable for life.

Q: How could a super earth with a thick atmosphere potentially survive around a pulsar?

In a 2017 paper, researchers detailed that a super earth with a thick atmosphere could absorb enough radiation to keep the surface warm enough for liquid water, potentially allowing for life to arise.

Q: Why are pulsar planets rare?

Pulsar planets are likely scarce because during a supernova, any pre-existing planets would have been destroyed or ejected. Captured planets or those formed from supernova materials would be the exceptions.

Q: What are the challenges facing potential life on a super earth around a pulsar?

In addition to harsh conditions and a shorter period of habitability around pulsars, the scarcity of pulsar planets and the difficulty in gathering a thick atmosphere rich in hydrogen pose challenges for sustaining life.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Habitual zones are typically assumed to exist around main sequence stars, but there could be habitable zones around pulsars.

• Pulsars emit high levels of X-ray radiation and charged particles, making it inhospitable for life as we know it.

• However, super earth planets with thick atmospheres could potentially weather the harsh conditions of a pulsar and hold an atmosphere for a long enough period for life to arise.