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 19 hours 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 13 hours ago
Skyrmir@lemmy.world 12 hours 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 12 hours 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 11 hours 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 12 hours ago
There are entire nebulae with just oxygen floating around.
Lemminary@lemmy.world 11 hours ago
They’re obviously full of plants and algae!
Skyrmir@lemmy.world 11 hours ago
Get Back to me when you find it on a planet other than Earth.