For a planet to be habitable, it must first fulfill various needs. Below are some of the specific aspects that enable a planet to support life. One of the requirements for this planet to be habitable is its size and age. Regarding these aspects, this planet must lie in the habitable zone, also known as HZ, of its solar system. The habitable zone refers to the distance from the star (sun) where the planet can sustain liquid water on its surface in supporting life (" 12. Habitable Planets and the Search for Life," 2018 ). This planet is supposed to be neither too close nor too far away from the star on which it revolves. This star is vital since it provides enough light that supports life. Besides, it protects living organisms against harmful shorter wavelength rays such as UV rays, which die before entering the planet’s atmosphere. The atmosphere of the planet is another essential aspect. One of the factors is that the planet should not be near a source of an active gamma-ray. This is because it may lead to colossal radiation as well as gravitational effects on its habitability (Gonzalez, 2014). Besides, this planet should not be near the galactic center. The sun around which this planet revolves should be relatively stable in terms of luminosity; that is, it should have fewer fluctuations. The planet should be in such a way that its mass should be very low; planets with lower mass have less gravitational pull as well as a larger surface-to-volume ratio, which cannot hold the atmosphere. As a result, gas molecules will leave space, hence allowing direct penetration of the sunlight that causes high temperatures inside this planet ("YouTube," n.d.). This will make the planet inhabitable. Planets that are comparable by mass and size to the earth have a moderate surface-to-volume ratio. This holds the thick atmosphere which protects the surface of the plant from harmful radiation. One of the factors that affect this aspect is the oceans of the planet. In the case of this planet, it should have a temperature range of -10 degrees celsius to 120 degrees Celsius. This temperature range is essential as it helps in keeping water on the planet in a liquid state. Besides, the surface of the planet should be wet; this implies that water should be available frequently under all conditions. As previously indicated, the atmosphere of this planet has been described to be thick and approximately 100 to 120 miles; also, it surrounds the surface of the planet. This is one of the pieces of evidence that indicates the species on this planet get protection against the harmful rays from the sun with short-wavelength like UV radiation. For the planet to support life, the moon's position should be close to the planet than the sun. Besides, the moon’s chemical composition should have more resemblance to that of the planet around which it revolves. Based on the above aspects, the survivability of the species on this planet will require that the planet’s size is almost comparable to that of the earth. Besides, its mass should be almost similar to that of the earth. Other aspects relate to the atmosphere and the temperature range. For this planet to support life, it should be surrounded by a thick atmosphere, and its temperature range should be limited. Also, it must have water- which is one of the most critical aspects. Possession of abundant minerals is another requirement, together with nutrient contents. The planet must stay within the habitable zone, also referred to as HZ, and must revolve around a luminous sun (star), which acts as a source of light (" 12. Habitable Planets and the Search for Life," 2018 ). Finally, this planet must have a moon that possesses the same chemical environment. Consequently, a planet that possesses all these aspects will support life.
References
12. Habitable Planets and the Search for Life. (2018). Exoplanets , 157-174. doi:10.4159/9780674988897-013
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Gonzalez, G. (2014). Setting the Stage for Habitable Planets. Life , 4 (1), 35-65. doi:10.3390/life4010035
Star-less planets may be habitable after all. (2011). New Scientist , 209 (2800), 18. doi:10.1016/s0262-4079(11)60375-8
YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt2LHkSwdPQ
