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This could be a natural phenomenon. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_resonance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_resonance

by not2b 3y ago

TheOtherHobbes 3y ago
It's mentioned in the preceding article and the two papers that are linked. In spite of the title no one is wondering if aliens moved planets around to park them in special orbits. It's infinitely more likely the resonances developed naturally. Also, none of the planets are in the habitable zone, so it's unlikely there's life on them. Which is a shame, because if the star was much dimmer and they were in the habitable zone, the views would make a stunning tourist attraction.
- orthecreedence 3y ago
  > Also, none of the planets are in the habitable zone, so it's unlikely there's life on them. Why would somebody want to live on the arms of a clock??
  - bitwize 3y ago
    To high-five all the other monkeys round the outer edge of the face, of course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBIg7LEHs-0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBIg7LEHs-0
    - hit_to_key 3y ago
      Of all places, I did not expect to see a Rhythm Heaven reference on HN. :D Brings back memories
      - bitwize 3y ago
        It's not my first: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38927430 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38927430
- stevev 3y ago
  Habitable zone is made up concept. Life forms can exist in many conditions.
  - magneticnorth 3y ago
    I am very interested to learn the evidence you have that life can develop outside a star’s habitable zone.
    - ianai 3y ago
      I’m getting the sense they can be too close to form life, but can form further out with the right planetary characteristics. How often favorable atmospheres form would be interesting. Taken another way: Venus’ atmosphere would get more “tame” further out. That might make it more conducive to life. But would its atmosphere still form at those distances? (Clearly it’s not impossible.)
- Aardwolf 3y ago
  The article seemed to imply such a system may be interesting as a "communication relay" for extraterrestrial civilizations. No matter what the system may attract anyone's attention

This could be a natural phenomenon. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_resonance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_resonance

by not2b 3y ago

This could be a natural phenomenon. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_resonance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_resonance

TheOtherHobbes 3y ago

It's mentioned in the preceding article and the two papers that are linked. In spite of the title no one is wondering if aliens moved planets around to park them in special orbits. It's infinitely more likely the resonances developed naturally. Also, none of the planets are in the habitable zone, so it's unlikely there's life on them. Which is a shame, because if the star was much dimmer and they were in the habitable zone, the views would make a stunning tourist attraction.

orthecreedence 3y ago
> Also, none of the planets are in the habitable zone, so it's unlikely there's life on them. Why would somebody want to live on the arms of a clock??
- bitwize 3y ago
  To high-five all the other monkeys round the outer edge of the face, of course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBIg7LEHs-0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBIg7LEHs-0
  - hit_to_key 3y ago
    Of all places, I did not expect to see a Rhythm Heaven reference on HN. :D Brings back memories
    - bitwize 3y ago
      It's not my first: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38927430 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38927430
stevev 3y ago
Habitable zone is made up concept. Life forms can exist in many conditions.
- magneticnorth 3y ago
  I am very interested to learn the evidence you have that life can develop outside a star’s habitable zone.
  - ianai 3y ago
    I’m getting the sense they can be too close to form life, but can form further out with the right planetary characteristics. How often favorable atmospheres form would be interesting. Taken another way: Venus’ atmosphere would get more “tame” further out. That might make it more conducive to life. But would its atmosphere still form at those distances? (Clearly it’s not impossible.)
Aardwolf 3y ago
The article seemed to imply such a system may be interesting as a "communication relay" for extraterrestrial civilizations. No matter what the system may attract anyone's attention