Cosmic Explosions, Life in the Universe, and the Cosmological Constant

Tsvi Piran, Raul Jimenez, Antonio J. Cuesta, Fergus Simpson, Licia Verde

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are copious sources of gamma rays whose interaction with a planetary atmosphere can pose a threat to complex life. Using recent determinations of their rate and probability of causing massive extinction, we explore what types of universes are most likely to harbor advanced forms of life. We use cosmological N-body simulations to determine at what time and for what value of the cosmological constant (Λ) the chances of life being unaffected by cosmic explosions are maximized. Life survival to GRBs favors Lambda-dominated universes. Within a cold dark matter model with a cosmological constant, the likelihood of life survival to GRBs is governed by the value of Λ and the age of the Universe. We find that we seem to live in a favorable point in this parameter space that minimizes the exposure to cosmic explosions, yet maximizes the number of main sequence (hydrogen-burning) stars around which advanced life forms can exist.

Original languageEnglish
Article number081301
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume116
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 23 Feb 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 American Physical Society.

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