this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2025
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Many elements up to iron and nickel can be produced from supernovae, including oxygen. And I’m pretty sure a supernova isn’t a very habitable place…
Just about every element comes out of a super nova. By the time it's around a planet, Oxygen has made friends, usually Hydrogen, so it's no longer free molecules.
Oxygen can make friends with other oxygen, no? O2. It isn’t only produced by biotic means…
Also, not every element comes out of a supernova. Elements that are heavier than iron and nickel are created when neutron stars merge! Very cool. Not to mention all the manmade elements…
o2 isn't as stable as most molecules containing oxygen. Free o2 oxidizes damn near everything, so it doesn't last in an atmosphere without a new source. Take a look at the solar system. Every planet has oxygen, none of it is o2 outside of earth.
O2 could be produced by abiotic means, the source isn’t necessarily life. It could be, but it’s probably not. Looking for life isn’t as simple as finding oxygen, otherwise it would be way too easy, there’s a bunch of other biosignatures and signs of habitability to look for.
Except o2 is only produced in volume by a nova. Which isn't happening on a planet.
A quick search shows that there’s many studies on abiotic ways to produce O2 in terrestrial planet. From good sources too, not just your random Joe. Hence, we need to look at other factors too, not just oxygen.