Exploring Factors That Influence Exoplanet Habitability

Abstract

The objective of this research is to determine which conditions influence the habitability of exoplanets. A better understanding of these attributes can help determine if life exists beyond our solar system. It also helps answer the question of whether or not exoplanets could be habitable if it becomes necessary for our survival. The significance of mass, flux, and period were evaluated to determine which factors have the largest influence on habitability. Simulations of temperature and radiation fluctuation on certain exoplanets were run on some of the most earth-like exoplanets to determine the likelihood of habitability on each. This novel approach of analyzing these data sets produced an overview of which parameters are necessary for exoplanet habitability with the ultimate goal of understanding life beyond our solar system. The results show that mass and period have a moderate influence on habitability while flux has a larger impact on the habitability of an exoplanet. The simulations illustrate that the likelihood of habitability on the majority of known exoplanets is low. These findings indicate that the conditions for exoplanets to be habitable are very specific and there are currently no exoplanets that would definitively be able to support life. As exoplanet detection technologies and methods improve, future research could show that habitable exoplanets are more prevalent than what is known today.