In fact, this is three times more likely than previously thought. Moreover, in much of our galaxy, the conditions seem to exist for the basic building blocks from which rocky worlds are formed. These are, in essence, the conclusions of a study presented by Professor Brad Gibson, director of the Edward Arthur Milne Center for Astrophysics, at the University of Hull (UK), in which he has analyzed the chemical evolution of the Milky Way.
According to Gibson, in stellar systems like ours, the geological structure of rocky exoplanets is equally dominated by carbon, oxygen, magnesium, and silicon. However, despite this similarity, minimal mineralogical differences between them could lead to significant variations in plate tectonics , the surface temperature of these worlds and, therefore, their possible habitability.
“The proportion of elements that we find on Earth is closely related to the development of the right chemical conditions for life to emerge,” says Gibson. “With too much magnesium or too little silicon, the same type of rocks that we find on the earth’s surface would not occur . Too much carbon, and the world would be more like a pencil lead than ours, ”he adds.
Although the observations of this expert and his team reveal that all planetary systems have the same basic elements, Gibson cautions that even then not all rocky planets are like Earth. Its habitability is also determined by other factors, such as the presence of liquid water on its surface. “We only have to look at Mars and Venus to see that these types of planets can follow different evolutionary courses. Even so, our findings suggest that it is easier for worlds like ours to form than previously suspected, ”he emphasizes.
