"Do we have a chance that Opportunity has found fossils of complex organisms? There are the three rocks that may suggest this."
Special Note
Ask an Astrobiologist has received more than 2500 questions about Nibiru and 2012, with more than 200 answers posted. Please read a summary of the answers that have already been posted, view a video on these topics, use the search feature and read the FAQ’s before submitting questions on these topics.
-
Question
Did the sun and solar system form in the first half or last half of our galaxy's history?
The Sun and solar system formed in the second half. The age of the Galaxy is 12-13 billion years, while the age of the solar system is 4.56 billion years. This is imporant for astrobiology, since "first generation" stars were composed almost entirely of just two elements, hydrogen and helium, and therefore will not be likely to have planetary systems. It is only stars born more recently, like the Sun, that have the advantage of heavy elements (including carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen), which were formed in earlier generations of stars that lived and died before the Sun and solar system formed.
David Morrison
NAI Senior Scientist
May 3, 2004
- How frequently are questions answered?
- I asked a question but there was no answer?
- Who is the Astrobiologist answering these questions?
- Will I get an email when my question is answered?
- What college courses should I take to become an astrobiologist?
- How can I get a job as an astrobiologist at NASA?
- Have aliens visited Earth? Are UFOs real?
- Is there a planet or brown dwarf called Nibiru or Eris that is approaching the Earth and threatening our planet with widespread destruction?
- Is it true that the Sun will be in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy in December 2012 and that this will cause a pole shift and massive destruction.
- Has NASA discovered life on other worlds?
- Astrobiology Career Path Suggestions
