The Goldilocks Zone of Europium: Exploring Planetary Habitability and R-Process Origins

The study by Carrasco et al. explores how europium, a proxy for uranium and thorium, affects planetary habitability by influencing magnetic field generation on rocky planets. They identify a "Goldilocks zone" of stellar metallicity, where planets are most likely to sustain stable magnetic dynamos critical for life. Additionally, the research links europium’s distribution to neutron star mergers, refining our understanding of r-process element production and its role in shaping habitable environments across the galaxy.