18 Scorpii

1.08 L ☉

18 Scorpii, also known as HR 6060, is an approximately 45.7 light years from the Sun distant star, which is located in the northern part of the constellation Scorpio. He has worked with the sun together many physical properties and is referred to in the jargon therefore also called solar twin (English " solar twin" ). Because of this similarity with the sun, some scientists believe that the prospects for life in its surroundings are good.

Characteristics

18 Scorpii is a main sequence star of spectral type G2 Va. The metallicity of this main sequence star is about 1.05 - to 1.12 times that of the sun.

According to Lockwood, 2002, the star shows a time very similar photometric behavior as the sun. However, the cycle of activity (according to Lockwood 2000) of 18 Scorpii a larger amplitude and the total activity in the chromosphere is significantly larger than that of the sun. This excellent photometric twin could be a less perfect spectroscopic twin of the sun.

18 Scorpii is a single star. At present it is not known whether they have planet. There is a good chance that its gas giant at a great distance revolve around him, as is also the case in the solar system. This would increase the probability of the presence of inner terrestrial planets.

Prospects for life

18 Scorpii was established in September 2003 by the astrobiologist Margaret Turnbull of the University of Arizona in Tucson as one of the most promising near- candidates might harbor life. This review was based on their HabCat list ( " Catalog of Nearby Habitable Stellar Systems ").