Tidally Torn: Why the Most Common Stars May Lack Large, Habitable-Zone Moons
14 days ago
- #exomoons
- #habitability
- #astrophysics
- Study examines stability and lifetime of large moons around Earth-like planets in the habitable zone (HZ) of M-dwarfs.
- Simulations using N-body simulator rebound and reboundx show large moons become unstable within 10^7 to 10^9 years, depending on the M-dwarf type.
- M4 and M2 dwarfs' HZ planets lose large moons faster (before 10^7 and 10^8 years, respectively) compared to M0-dwarfs.
- Findings suggest HZ planets orbiting M-dwarfs are unlikely to have large moons, impacting the search for habitable exomoons.
- Implications for exolife, the Drake equation, and the Fermi paradox, as moons may enhance planetary habitability.