14 DAY TRIAL // According to French astronomers at the Sean Raymond of the Observatory of Bordeaux, several hundred stars have thus far been determined to host a protoplanetary ring in orbit. If that is so, then these structure may contain Earth-like exoplanets.
Scientists say that worlds about the size and mass of Earth may easily clean an orbit for themselves within the mass of planetesimals, dust and pebbles that usually forms such disks. What astronomers would have to do is search for such clearings within each star's habitable zone.
If such a feature is discovered, then it would be safe to assume that planets existing at that location may support at least some form of life, or at least liquid water, Space reports. Protoplanetary rings usually do not last for prolonged periods of time around new stars.
The main reasons for that are gas giants. When these massive planets form, their huge gravitational pull interferes with the dust, and literally breaks the ring apart.