Photosynthetic Constraints on the Habitable Zone

Details Photosynthetic Constraints on the Habitable Zone Photosynthetic Constraints on the Habitable Zone

Jun 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004iaus..213..309s&link_type=abstract

Bioastronomy 2002: Life Among the Stars, Proceedings of IAU Symposium #213. Edited by R. Norris, and F. Stootman. San Francisco:

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

The search for extraterrestrial habitable planets will require long observation times and the intelligent selection of appropriate parent stars and target biosignatures. While life can certainly develop in the absence of photosynthesis, such life forms on earth exhibit metabolic rates several orders of magnitude less than the activity accompanying a photosynthetic-driven ecosystem. The most accessible spectral biosignatures are those accompanying a system driven away from thermodynamic equilibrium by photosynthetic activity. For example, the co-existence in a planetary atmosphere of significant amounts of ozone, oxygen, and methane would be a strong indication of biotic activity. Investigating the issue of the Habitable Zone from the standpoint of the constraints inherent in photosynthesis it appears that the absorption characteristics of photosynthetic microorganisms on this planet make it likely that photosynthetic activity can exist on planets orbiting stars to red-ward of the Sun on the H-R diagram. Such a possibility is encouraging for terrestrial planet finder efforts since stars classified red-ward of our sun (G3 to K7) account for more than 55% of our nearest neighbors.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Photosynthetic Constraints on the Habitable Zone does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Photosynthetic Constraints on the Habitable Zone, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Photosynthetic Constraints on the Habitable Zone will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-852304