Spitzer Finds Planets Thrive Around Stellar Twins

[A.DIM]

Spitzer Finds Planets Thrive Around Stellar Twins:


"In the most comprehensive survey of its kind, the team looked for disks in 69 binary systems between about 50 and 200 light-years away from Earth. All of the stars are somewhat younger and more massive than our middle-aged sun. The data show that about 40 percent of the systems had disks, which is a bit higher than the frequency for a comparable sample of single stars. This means that planetary systems are at least as common around binary stars as they are around single stars."

[Blob]

Hum,
See also Double sun sunset thread

[A.DIM]

Sometimes it's difficult deciding whether such an article applies to existing threads, or deserves one of its own.

[Amber Robot]

"This means that planetary systems are at least as common around binary stars as they are around single stars."

Doesn't it just mean that disks are at least as common around binary stars as they are around single stars? How sure are they that all disks become planetary systems?

[Doodler]

Doesn't it just mean that disks are at least as common around binary stars as they are around single stars? How sure are they that all disks become planetary systems?

Was gonna say something about that... I mean, they're finding dust disks around elder red giants, this doesn't mean red giants form planets in their disks, too.

Not to say that a Tatooine is impossible, but not to say they're common, either.

[A.DIM]

Doesn't it just mean that disks are at least as common around binary stars as they are around single stars? How sure are they that all disks become planetary systems?

Good questions, though the article does state:

" We were very surprised to find that the tight group had more disks," said Trilling. "This could mean that planet formation favors tight binaries over single stars, but it could also mean tight binaries are just dustier. Future observations should provide a better answer."

[Kullat Nunu]

Sometimes it's difficult deciding whether such an article applies to existing threads, or deserves one of its own.

This is much more astronomy than space exploration stuff.

[A.DIM]

Well, should a Mod feel the need, he or she is most welcome to appoint this thread to the more appropriate forum.

[antoniseb]

Agreed and Done.

[A.DIM]

Was gonna say something about that... I mean, they're finding dust disks around elder red giants, this doesn't mean red giants form planets in their disks, too.

Not to say that a Tatooine is impossible, but not to say they're common, either.

Worlds with double sunsets common.

Methinks BAUT should begin to focus its attentions on the pop sci writers!