“Unbelievable Transformation: Man’s Reckless Encounter with a Particle Accelerator Defies Science!”
But Red Dwarfs Are So Volatile That Scientists Just Aren’t Sure
Red dwarfs (or M-dwarfs) make up 75 percent of the stars in our galaxy. They have a way longer lifespan than most other types of stars, and the planets that orbit them are typically larger than the norm. Dwarfs like TRAPPIST-1 outnumber other stars, including yellow stars like our own sun, by three to one. Experts can’t really make up their mind on whether or not red dwarf planets, like those in the TRAPPIST-1 solar system, are suitable for life — and there are a ton of reasons as to why they keep flip-flopping.
“We’ve come up with these theoretical reasons why such a planet might struggle to be habitable,” said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, a research space scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “Then we look at those theoretical concerns with a little bit more detail, and find out it’s not that big of a concern. Then some other theoretical concern crops up.”
The Sun Could Actually Be Lethal (Even If It’s “Cool”)
Despite scientists’ hope for life in the TRAPPIST-1 system, right now, the popular opinion is that these planets probably can’t support life. This isn’t because the temperature would be inhospitable (though it could be scaldingly hot) or because the air is toxic (which is also very probable).
The problem lies in the fact that red dwarfs are extremely active stars, especially in their early years. They shoot off potentially lethal flares and bursts of radiation. If you’ve ever seen the futuristic, teen drama The 100, you know that human life and mass amounts of radiation don’t mesh well. It could take one billion years for the sun to calm down enough to no longer be a danger to nearby planets.
