Which Stars Can Give Birth to Life? The Answer's in the Color ⚡ экспресс
The thermodynamic theory of the origin of life states that fundamental biomolecules arose as self-organizing photonic dissipative structures (pigments) that spread across the ocean surface to absorb and dissipate soft UV-C (205–285 nm) and UV-B light from the Archean Sun as heat. Hard UV-C (<205 nm) can destroy carbon-based molecules. The possibility of abiogenesis on planets similar to early Earth around stars of different types was assessed, with orbits normalized to the solar constant. Analysis of stellar spectra allowed the determination of the ratio of integrated fluxes of soft (structuring) and hard (destructive) UV-C. It was found that F, G, and massive K stars are favorable for molecular self-organization; evolution to intelligent life is likely only around G stars. Low-mass K-type and M-type stars are considered poorly suitable. Biomarkers based on the thermodynamic necessity of photon dissipation are proposed.
Life began with molecules akin to natural sunscreen—based on carbon, they soaked up the mild ultraviolet of the young Sun and turned it into heat. This way of dissipating energy wasn’t just heating: it made molecules self-organize, like chefs kneading structured dough out of a chaos of ingredients. But ultraviolet is a finicky tool. Soft light gently joined atoms; hard light snapped fledgling bonds.
Astronomers compared the rainbow fingerprints of starlight and found that only F, G, and massive K stars hit the ideal balance. But for intelligence to emerge, only G-type will do—that’s our Sun. Red dwarfs, which are the most abundant in the Galaxy, offer merely a smoldering warmth: their planets are likely barren. Now the search for habitable worlds zeroes in on yellow stars, and a telltale sign could be an ocean's unusual darkening in the ultraviolet.
🎯 About 20% of sunlike stars in the Galaxy may host planets with a suitable ultraviolet climate—that’s billions of chances for life.
🎬 Sci-fi writers love to populate planets around red dwarfs (like in Interstellar), but the new model shows: their light isn’t enough to ‘knead the molecular dough’ of life.