Biohistory journal, Summer, 2007

       Here’s a question that everyone has: Might there be planets in the universe on which living creatures exist, other than the Earth? Using observation technology and computer simulations, which have rapidly become very sophisticated, scientists have discovered planets whose environments have the potential to create life.

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       More than 200 planets outside the solar system have been discovered since 1995. Most are gas giant planets incapable of supporting life. Considering the standard model for planetary system creation, however, it is likely that more smaller planets outside the solar system will be discovered as observation technology grows more sophisticated. Therefore, we used simulations to create presumptive planets based on that standard model. We then looked for planets applicable to the conditions of planetary mass and orbital diameter that make them capable of supporting life. We found it possible that more than 10% of the solar-type fixed stars could have Earth-like planets capable of supporting living organisms. It is very possible that diverse forms of life could exist in this universe.
       Today, planetary formation theory and astronomical observation are spurring mutual development, and the search has begun for planets capable of supporting life with the cooperation of other research fields. We’d like to apply the name of bioplanetary science to this new research field. Bioplanetary science, which transcends academic barriers to examine the origin of life from the perspective of planetary environments, has just begun.

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