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Silicate-rich versus carbon-rich planetary systems

Silicate-rich versus carbon-rich planetary systems
Silicate-rich versus carbon-rich planetary systems Carbon-poor stars produce planetary systems rich in water, like the one depicted on the left. Rocky planets may have oceans, and there are comets and active asteroids. However, in carbon-rich planetary systems, all the oxygen is bound in carbon monoxide, and there is little water. Carbon planets in such systems would be unlikely to host life. NASA / JPL-Caltech