An Earth-Sized Planet Could Survive With 2 Suns Just 16 Light-Years Away
Astrophysicists have conducted simulations suggesting that Earth-sized planets can maintain stable orbits within binary star systems. The study focuses on the 70 Ophiuchi system, located 16 light-years away, as a potential candidate for habitability.
Why it matters
This research expands the search parameters for habitable exoplanets, suggesting that binary star systems—which are common in the galaxy—should not be ruled out as potential hosts for life.
Planets with two suns have intrigued our cosmic imagination ever since they appeared in a popular work of fiction set in a galaxy far, far away.
That's right, the globally famous King in Yellow , published in 1895. Oh, and Star Wars , of course.
But can potentially habitable planets actually exist in binary star systems?
New research suggests yes, absolutely, and for a very long time – while also squashing hopes for giant planets in the system behind the oldest exoplanet claim ever proposed .
Our Solar System is unusual because it's the only one we know of with robots zipping between its planets.
"Our solar system, with only one star, is actually somewhat unusual. Many stars have stellar companions," explains Stephen Kane, an astrophysicist at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), and one of the study's co-authors.
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