Moons Beneficial to Life Beyond Earth

Digital simulations of moon formation determine that only certain sizes of planet have the ability to create a moon of similar size ratio to our own system.

IMAGE: In a new study, Rochester scientist Miki Nakajima and her colleagues conclude that the universe’s smaller planets are more likely to host the fractionally large moons that may be helpful for harboring life on those planets. CREDIT: University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster

Recently, I talked about how researchers think the rise of oxygen levels here on Earth helped life come about and how we could use that rise…