NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton have released findings regarding the potential habitability of planets orbiting red dwarf stars, specifically focusing on Wolf 359, located 7.8 light-years from Earth. This star, which has a mass about one-tenth that of the Sun, is a prime candidate for studying exoplanets due to its prevalence in the universe.
The research indicates that for a planet to sustain life as we know it, it must be situated at a considerable distance from its host star and possess greenhouse gases in its atmosphere. The study emphasizes that merely being located away from harmful radiation is insufficient; a suitable atmosphere is crucial.
Wolf 359 emits significant amounts of damaging radiation, which poses challenges for potential planets. The habitable zone around this star is much closer than that around the Sun, with the outer limit being about 15% of the Earth-Sun distance. Current candidates for planets in this zone are either too close or too far to be habitable.
Furthermore, the research team observed 18 X-ray flares from Wolf 359 over a span of 3.5 days, suggesting that more intense flares could further jeopardize the atmospheric conditions necessary for life. These findings were shared at the 245th meeting of the American Astronomical Society and are set for publication.