Astrobiology in the Environments of Main-Sequence Stars: Effects of Photospheric Radiation

TL;DR

This study investigates whether carbon-based macromolecules like DNA can withstand photospheric radiation in the habitable zones of main-sequence stars of types F, G, K, and M, impacting the potential for life.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of stellar radiation effects on complex molecules in habitable zones around various star types, advancing astrobiological understanding.

Findings

Photospheric radiation can degrade carbon-based macromolecules.

Habitability depends on stellar spectral type and radiation intensity.

Survivability of molecules varies across star types.

Abstract

We explore if carbon-based macromolecules (such as DNA) in the environments of stars other than the Sun are able to survive the effects of photospheric stellar radiation, such as UV-C. Therefore, we focus on main-sequence stars of spectral types F, G, K, and M. Emphasis is placed on investigating the radiative environment in the stellar habitable zones. Stellar habitable zones are relevant to astrobiology because they constitute circumstellar regions in which a planet of suitable size can maintain surface temperatures for water to exist in fluid form, thus increasing the likelihood of Earth-type life.