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Phys Org

Phys Org

Plants could still grow well under alien skies

Phys Org
Summary
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91% Informative

Scientists simulated light output from a K-dwarf star and grew two photosynthetic organisms in those conditions to see how they responded.

K dwarfs are more abundant and have stable luminosities for billions of years longer than sun-like stars.

They're between about 50% and 80% as massive as G-type stars, and more abundant than other types of stars.

K dwarf stars can be considered the "Goldilocks stars" in the search for potentially life-bearing planets.

The cyanobacterium is a survivor that can withstand long periods of dormancy and extreme growing conditions.

The researchers also cultivated it under solar, K-dwarf and dark conditions.

They measured the average integrated density (IntD) of cyanobacteria , an indicator of culture growth.