Older Alien Worlds Might Still Be Stuck in the Slime Age

• A new study by Dr. Christopher Doughty of Northern Arizona University suggests that the total amount of carbon a planet can capture is a better indicator of its potential for advanced life than the age of its star. The study argues that planets with higher Net Primary Production (NPP) are more likely to support complex life.
• The study uses Earth's carbon capture figures as a benchmark, noting that before the Cambrian explosion, Earth's total carbon fixation was 2.4x10^25 grams, and by the time of human evolution, it had grown to 9.4x10^25 grams. The authors applied this to exoplanets, identifying TRAPPIST-1e as a poor candidate due to its lack of photosynthesis and limited water.
• The study highlights that exoplanets like K2-3d and GJ 1061c have higher NPP values, suggesting they might support more complex life. However, the methodology has some assumptions, such as excluding tidally locked planets and assuming evolutionary transitions are sudden rather than gradual.
• The study adds to the ongoing debate about where to look for life, suggesting that NPP could be a useful tool in identifying potential habitable worlds. It also emphasizes that the absence of advanced civilizations on these planets does not negate their potential for life.

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