Is Phosphorus a Sign of Life-Friendly Worlds?

Astronomers may look for life in solar systems rich in phosphorus, a new study suggests - here's the reason why.

Far from our solar system, phosphorus surrounding distant stars could be a telltale sign of worlds friendly to extraterrestrial life.

Life may be more likely on worlds within solar systems rich in phosphorus, a new study suggests.

Is phosphorus a sign of life-friendly worlds orbiting distant stars? By examining the chemical composition of stars known to host exoplanets, it may be possible to determine which solar systems are likely to house alien lifeforms.

Life on Earth depends on the presence of six key ingredients — carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur (known as CHNOPS). Of these, phosphorus is the rarest on Earth, making it the limiting ingredient for the chemical reactions of life.

A new study from the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) looks at stars known to host exoplanets, noting those with high concentrations of phosphorus. The research suggests that looking for stars rich in this element could help us determine which star systems are likely to be home to life.

Read more: https://thecosmiccompanion.net/phosphorus-sign-life-friendly-worlds

Join Astronomy News with The Cosmic Companion on Tuesday, September 22, when we will interview Dr. Natalie Hinkel of SwRI.