Publications by authors named "Keavin Moore"
Article Synopsis
- The term "biosignature" is crucial in astrobiology, linking observations to possible biological causes, but its definitions vary across scientific communities.
- There are concerns that current definitions may overstate certainty and create confusion, especially since the distinction between life and non-life is not always clear.
- The authors propose that scientists should be cautious with the term, define it explicitly, and use a checklist for evaluating biosignature claims to enhance communication and understanding in the field.
Inspired by the recent discoveries of circumbinary planets orbiting nine close binary stars, we explore the fate of the former as the latter evolve off the main sequence. We combine binary star evolution models with dynamical simulations to study the orbital evolution of these planets as their hosts undergo common-envelope (CE) stages, losing in the process a tremendous amount of mass on dynamical timescales. Five of the systems experience at least one Roche-lobe overflow and CE stage (Kepler-1647 experiences three), and the binary stars either shrink to very short orbits or coalesce; two systems trigger a double-degenerate supernova explosion.
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