Many elements up to iron can be produced from supernovae, including oxygen. And I’m pretty sure a supernova isn’t a very habitable place…
Comment on Searching for signs of life on exoplanets is tough.
Skyrmir@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Look for free Oxygen, the only reason it sits around is because of life. Sure, there are lots of forms of life that won’t show up that way, but if you do see it, you know you found life.
sbeak@sopuli.xyz 1 year ago
Skyrmir@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Just about every element comes out of a super nova. By the time it’s around a planet, Oxygen has made friends, usually Hydrogen, so it’s no longer free molecules.
sbeak@sopuli.xyz 1 year ago
Oxygen can make friends with other oxygen, no? O2. It isn’t only produced by biotic means…
Also, not every element comes out of a supernova. Elements that are heavier than iron and nickel are created when a neutron stars merge! Very cool. Not to mention all the manmade elements…
Skyrmir@lemmy.world 1 year ago
o2 isn’t as stable as most molecules containing oxygen. Free o2 oxidizes damn near everything, so it doesn’t last in an atmosphere without a new source. Take a look at the solar system. Every planet has oxygen, none of it is o2 outside of earth.
icelimit@lemmy.ml 1 year ago
There are entire nebulae with just oxygen floating around.
Lemminary@lemmy.world 1 year ago
They’re obviously full of plants and algae!
Skyrmir@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Get Back to me when you find it on a planet other than Earth.