The Search for Life

Are planetary systems like ours rare in the universe?

Dr. Richard Parker, a Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics at the University of Sheffield, is investigating one of the biggest questions in planetary science: how common are planetary systems like our own Solar System? Stars like the Sun are born not in isolation, but alongside tens to thousands of stellar siblings, each potentially forming its own planetary system. These young stars interact dynamically before dispersing into the wider galaxy.

Using a combination of computer simulations and observational data, Dr. Parker's research traces the full life story of planetary systems, from their beginnings in stellar nurseries to their long, quiet evolution in the Milky Way. A key focus is on how interactions between stars can disrupt developing planetary systems, which provides clues to the likelihood of life elsewhere in the universe.

The research aims to uncover what fraction of these systems might be similar to ours, and what that means for the potential habitability of planets orbiting distant stars.