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Planetary Systems Associated with Main-Sequence Stars

Brown, Harrison (1964) Planetary Systems Associated with Main-Sequence Stars. Science, 145 (3637). pp. 1177-1181. ISSN 0036-8075. doi:10.1126/science.145.3637.1177. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20151208-100534913

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Abstract

The luminosity function is used to estimate the number of invisible planet-like objects in the neighborhood of the sun, taking into account the likely chemical composition of planets in relation to the composition of main-sequence stars. There may be about 60 objects more massive than Mars for every visible star. An attempt is made to estimate the distribution of these planet-like cold bodies in relation to stars. It is suggested that stars, together with cold objects, were formed in clusters of bodies of random size distribution. Clusters averaging about 50 bodies each account for the observed distribution of frequencies of double and triple star systems relative to single stars. On this basis, virtually every star should have a planetary system associated with it. As a corollary, systems of cold bodies in which there are no luminous stars should be abundant. The possible distribution of planets around such stars has been studied, making use of the observed orbital characteristics of double star systems. It is concluded that favorable conditions for life processes may be far more abundant than has generally been thought possible.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.145.3637.1177DOIArticle
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/145/3637/1177PublisherArticle
http://www.jstor.org/stable/1714242JSTORArticle
Additional Information:© 1964 American Association for the Advancement of Science. Received May 18, 1964. I thank Irene Goddard for help with the calculations and the manuscript. Work supported by NASA grant NsG-56-60.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NASANsG-56-60
Issue or Number:3637
DOI:10.1126/science.145.3637.1177
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20151208-100534913
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20151208-100534913
Official Citation:Planetary Systems Associated with Main-Sequence Stars Harrison Brown Science 11 September 1964: 145 (3637), 1177-1181. [DOI:10.1126/science.145.3637.1177]
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:62690
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:08 Dec 2015 22:45
Last Modified:10 Nov 2021 23:05

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