Title of article
Biological damage due to photospheric, chromospheric and flare radiation in the environments of main-sequence stars
Author/Authors
Manfred Cuntz، نويسنده , , Edward F. Guinan and Robert L. Kurucz، نويسنده ,
Issue Information
روزنامه با شماره پیاپی سال 2009
Pages
9
From page
417
To page
425
Abstract
We explore the biological damage initiated in the environments of F, G, K, and M-type main-sequence stars due to photospheric, chromospheric and flare radiation. The amount of chromospheric radiation is, in a statistical sense, directly coupled to the stellar age as well as the presence of significant stellar magnetic fields and dynamo activity. With respect to photospheric radiation, we also consider detailed synthetic models, taking into account millions or hundred of millions of lines for atoms and molecules. Chromospheric UV radiation is increased in young stars in regard to all stellar spectral types. Flare activity is most pronounced in K and M-type stars, which also has the potential of stripping the planetary atmospheres of close-in planets, including planets located in the stellar habitable zone. For our studies, we take DNA as a proxy for carbon-based macromolecules, guided by the paradigm that carbon might constitute the biochemical centerpiece of extraterrestrial life forms. Planetary atmospheric attenuation is considered in an approximate manner.
Keywords
planets and satellites: general , stars: evolution , stars: chromospheres , stars: activity , stars: flare , stars: late-type , astrobiology
Journal title
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Serial Year
2009
Journal title
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Record number
673175
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