Super-Earth? by johndoop
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Description
Could Humans Colonize A Planet With Stronger Gravity?
With the recent explosion of extrasolar planet discoveries, some nearby, astronomers and space buffs wonder how habitable some of these planets would be for humans.
The Goldilocks Zone is often referenced (an area around a planet’s host star which could be ‘just right’ for liquid water to exist) when it comes to habitability. Not as often referenced however, is the planet’s gravity.
With many descriptions of these planets including words like “super-Earth”, it’s hard not to wonder if the gravity is also ‘super’ and how habitable these planets could be for us.
What Is A Super-Earth?
Super-Earth planets are planets with more mass than our own, but less than that of a gas giant. A planet becomes a gas giant when it has 10x Earth’s mass, or more. However, don’t let the name fool you. A super-Earth planet could very easily be a gas planet too, and are generally thought to be “gas dwarf planets” the closer their mass gets to the 10x gas giant threshold.
A ‘rocky’ super-Earth planet is one that has a solid surface, like Earth, but has a larger mass and/or radius. These types of planets are interesting to astronomers because if they lie within their stars Goldilocks zone, there is a greater chance they could be habitable.
What About Gravity?
We're used to the conditions on our humble planet... but what about others?
It’s a tricky question because planets that are larger than Earth in size, may not be as dense. If a planet is less dense, it will result in a weaker gravitational pull on the surface.
The question becomes even more complicated because the gravitational force felt on the surface of a planet is proportional to the planet’s mass divided by its radius squared.
This means that a planet with twice the radius (size) of Earth, yet similar in density (mass), would only have twice as strong gravity at its surface compared to Earth, despite having 8x Earth’s total mass.
To put it another way, a planet twice as massive as Earth would have the same surface gravity as Earth, as long as it’s radius is also proportionally larger — 4x the mass with 2x the radius, or 16x the mass and 4x the radius. g = G*M/R²
How Much Gravity Can Humans Handle?
Humans are a very adaptable species. We do have our limits though. According to Ames Research Center’s expert on humans in space and gravitational biosignatures, a person has, in fact, survived 2x Earth’s gravity for 24 straight hours. They also claim it is theoretically possible for a human to adapt to a gravity environment that is between 2x and 3x that of the Earth. However, at 4G or above, humans can not sustain an adequate blood-flow to the brain.
In the future, it may be possible to break the 4G limit with enhancements in genetic manipulation and extremely strong mechanical replacement organs to keep our body’s systems running, but that technology is a long way off
Comments (27)
pat40
Brilliant work
Jean_C
Very nice image and very interesting infos!
mickeyrony
A lot of info and a great work . Always a thinkings moment ((5++))
adrie
Great work on this beautiful space image my friend.
jendellas
Excellent!!!
netsuke
Interesting information. I've always questioned the ability of an extraterristal organism surviving on our planet. Not just because of its gasses but also because of its gravity.
Wolfenshire Online Now!
Really good write up for the illustration, it was an interesting read.
matstan2610
The exhaustive information about the planets, begs the question of whether you are passionate about, or a professional. Wonderful job.
farmerC
Een Prachtige creatie.
rhol_figament
Can't wait to send in the robotic probes, when do we leave?
giulband
goos image
Cyve
Fantastic work and beautiful image!
VEDES
Excellent art work!!!
caty77
Great planet and its moon! Humans dream of visiting other planets, but for the moment we're stuck with us. ^^
claude19
you ask well the problem of the ability of humans to colonize another planet much bigger ... because the blood flow to the brain ... but for now, the first hurdle is the size ... these exo-palnètes lie outside the solar system! Splendid realization !!!
ronmolina
Well done!
rickclark
Excellent art and informative text. Well done. Rick
mgtcs
Wonderful space scene my friend, superb work!
flavia49
stunning work
jeroni
beautiful, love the colors and lighting excellent work
vis151
Goku trained in 10x gravity before fighting majin boo. haha We had a LSU professor in micro biology give a lecture on space travel. In space alll of your vital signs elevate to a strange level. You can not take any kind of drug in space because they act different in the body because of gravity. It was interesting. Nice picture too.
goodoleboy
A lovely representation of a water planet in this super image. As for humans adapting to gravity on a 3x or above planet, forget it. It would be difficult enough on a 1.5x planet.
Robert_S
cool work and nice info.
dakotabluemoon
What a wonderful image here and they look so real great job on this John.
StudioTjeerd
Great image and interesting story!
sossy
exciting! come and fly to it and lets explore!!!!! amazing work with a wonderful mood! ;o)
danapommet
WOW!!! That was a lot of information to digest and so interesting to read. I never thought about different planets having different degrees of gravity. Something to think about and some interesting internet searches in my near future!