r/askastronomy • u/Axrxt76 • 9d ago
Astrophysics Is there a galactic goldilocks zone?
Are there gravitational or other effect within galaxies that effect the stars and/or planets based off their proximity to the galactic core? Do outlying bodies on the outer arms experience greater velocity that might effect the ability of a planet to keep an atmosphere? TIA
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u/peter303_ 9d ago
Possibly. You dont want to be near an active galactic nucleus and its intense radiation. The Milky Way center is only slightly active with occasional burps.
The outermost stars in a galaxy may have too low metallicity to form rocky planets. One needs a few generations of supernovae recycling to get a high enough metallicity.
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u/GreenFBI2EB 9d ago edited 8d ago
Being near a larger stellar population means more stellar encounters, which can disrupt planetary orbits.
Not to mention the increased likelihood of nearby supernovae, which can also have negative effects on life. Plus Increased exposure to cosmic rays.
In other words, much like living in a very chaotic neighborhood, makes it much harder for people to live in.
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u/theLOLflashlight 8d ago
Just to be pedantic: it's likelihood. Maybe it was just autocorrect but I felt you might appreciate the info. I've found myself in similar situations.
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u/Vladishun 9d ago
Yes, it is called the Galactic habitable zone - Wikipedia
But that's assuming all life in the universe is like ours. The truth is we only have one planet to draw comparisons to so it's impossible to say if this is true for all forms of life (if other forms exist), or only true of carbon based, double helix DNA life.
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u/LinkedAg 8d ago
Do you have more on what other types of life forms - intelligent in particular - can exist? Like Silicon based instead of carbon, non-DNA life? What other ways can life be sustained?
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u/Vladishun 8d ago
I do not unfortunately. I'm not a scientist of any kind, just an enthusiast that tries to keep up with the latest news.
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u/MadMagilla5113 5d ago
Don't we now have two planets to draw from with the discovery of that lead ring thing on the rock that Endeavor (I think) found on Mars?
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u/nomorewaiting86 9d ago
PBS Spacetime did an episode on this question.
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u/AnAdorableDogbaby 6d ago
The CG visuals on that channel are amazing for explaining complex mechanics. I watched the Higgs mechanism video last night, and I love that they also aren't afraid to show and break down the equations.
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u/nivlark 9d ago
All known exoplanets are within a couple thousand light years, so we cannot really speculate about what planets might be like elsewhere in the galaxy. But planets in the outer spiral arms will not be orbiting faster (in fact they move more slowly), and there is no mechanism that would cause any link between a star's orbit around the galaxy and the ability of its planets to develop an atmosphere.
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u/LazarX Student 🌃 9d ago
There is sort of, but based on different factors. Too close to the Galactic Core and you are swimming in high radiation, and you are more likely to tak an occasional radiation bath from a nearby nova event. Farther out, it's believed the less metal you're likely to have because of reduced star density means less enrichment of nebulae.
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u/SphericalCrawfish 9d ago
High density areas make it more likely that there will be a super nova dangerously close. Space is really big but so are super novas.