Home
Universe Today
Supermassive Black Holes Can Render Exoplanets Uninhabitable at Great Distances

Supermassive Black Holes Can Render Exoplanets Uninhabitable at Great Distances

This artist's illustration shows a spinning SMBH at the center of its AGN. New research shows how AGN affect exoplanet habitability. The powerful energy can strip away atmospheres and ozone at great distances, shaping habitability in large portions of a galaxy. Image Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration / Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech.

Life on Earth relies on energy from astrophysical sources. But what if the astrophysical source isn’t a star, but a supermassive black hole and its active galactic nuclei? Life needs shelter from their powerful energy, and the only shelter is distance. New research shows that SMBH and their AGN could strip away exoplanet atmospheres and destroy their ozone at vast distances.

Upvote0PointsDownvote

0 Votes: 0 Upvotes, 0 Downvotes (0 Points)