Astronomers have increased the chances of the existence of Earth-like planets three times

The odds that Earth-like exoplanets , orbiting stars in our Milky Way galaxy, the Earth has a similar set of minerals is much higher than that previously thought. In addition, the conditions for creating the basic "building blocks" from which built Earth-like planets are found in star systems very often. That is the conclusion пришли Astronomers from the University of Hull , than they hastened to share at a meeting of the Royal Astronomical community.

Minerals that arise from individual elements, such as carbon, oxygen, magnesium, silicon, determine the appearance of the rocky planets. The slight difference in the proportions of "building materials" leading to serious differences in the tectonic structure of the planets, their temperature and other characteristics that affect whether these planets form the basis for the development of life.

Until now it was thought that rocky planets are of three types: a planet similar to Earth, a planet with a high concentration of carbon and the world in which the silicon concentration higher than the concentration of magnesium.

"The ratio of elements constituting the Earth has led to chemical characteristics that are just fit for life" - says Professor Brad Gibson. He and his colleagues have built a sophisticated computer simulation of the formation of the Milky Way, which included the formation of planetary systems.

At first they were very surprised to find that their model accurately predicted the very current state of the galaxy, and so is consistent with modern observations. "Everything was in its place: the number of emerging and dying stars, the individual elements and isotopes." Then they noticed that the model predicted in relation to the formation of planets. It turned out that not one of the three, and virtually every solar system basic "building blocks" of the planets coincide with those of which turned our earth.

Because of the constructed model, scientists were able to detect errors and omissions in the observations that led to the wrong conclusion. Correct these errors, they could be aligned observations and model predictions.

In the clouds, which are formed from the solar system, oxygen about twice carbon atoms, and for every five silicon atoms have six atoms of magnesium. The astronomers who conducted the surveillance system is usually considered with bright stars and giant planets, which led to the errors in the estimates of the number of items to 20%. In addition, under the old method of observation it was difficult to separate the spectra of oxygen and nickel.

"Even with the right building blocks, not every planet will look like on the ground - for existence of life on it should be the conditions for the presence of liquid water - says Gibson. - It is necessary to look at Mars and Venus, to be sure, which may be different conditions. But the presence of these units increases the chances of the existence of Earth-like planets - three times compared with previous estimates. "

Source: geektimes.ru/post/253220/