The secret ingredient of the universe for the emergence of life

The secret ingredient of the universe for the emergence of life

A new study from the Australian National University has studied the nature of the cosmic phenomenon that slows the formation of stars. It helps to provide conditions in the universe for the emergence of life. Scientists have investigated a special way in which stars provide resistance to gravity, which slows down the process of star birth.

If stars were born quickly, they were all connected in massive clusters, where intense gravitational supernova explosions could probably sterilize all systems with planets, destroying any chances of life. Moreover, conditions in massive star clusters can prevent the formation of planets.

The findings suggest that ultraviolet and optical light from young and massive stars spreads into the gas from which the stars appeared, and enters the cosmic dust to scatter the infrared rays. The latter effectively act in the form of pressure, which is opposed to gravity. The studied phenomenon occurs in galaxies and star clusters, where there is a lot of dust and gas that form new stars at a rapid pace. In galaxies with a slow stellar birth, such as the Milky Way, the processes slow down birth, providing an average of 2 stars each year.

Mathematical data shows that this phenomenon sets the upper limit to how quickly stars can appear in galaxies or giant gas clouds. This allows life to appear in the universe. Scientists are also exploring other ways in which stars slow down the overall rate of birth of new objects.

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