The fine structure constant and habitable planets

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2016/08/048· OSTI ID:22679498

Sandora, McCullen ^[1]

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1. CP3-Origins, Center for Cosmology and Particle Physics Phenomenology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M, 5230 Denmark (Denmark)

We use the existence of habitable planets to impose anthropic requirements on the fine structure constant, α. To this effect, we present two considerations that restrict its value to be very near the one observed. The first, that the end product of stellar fusion is iron and not one of its neighboring elements, restricts α{sup -1} to be 145± 50. The second, that radiogenic heat in the Earth's interior remains adequately productive for billions of years, restricts it to be 145±9. A connection with the grand unified theory window is discussed, effectively providing a route to probe ultra-high energy physics with upcoming advances in planetary science.

• OSTI ID: 22679498
• Journal Information: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics Journal Issue: 08 Vol. 2016; ISSN 1475-7516
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
FINE STRUCTURE
GRAND UNIFIED THEORY
HEAT
HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS
IRON
PLANETS
SIMULATION
SPACE