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This is Scientific American's 60-Second Science. I'm Cynthia Graber. This will just take a minute.

Most plants capture sunlight. And the results are usually green. Because in photosynthesis¹, plant chlorophyll uses wavelengths² of blue and our sun's abundant red, and reflects green. But what if—as many sci-fi scenarios³ suggest—there's an Earth-like planet with multiple suns? Researchers at England's University of Saint Andrews say that photosynthetic⁴ life on such a planet might end up as a drab black or gray. Or even with a high SPF.

A quarter of all stars like our sun actually exist in multi-star systems. Plants on a planet with two sunlike stars could need protection against too much radiation—they might evolve their own UV-blocking sunscreens.

Or a planet with two stars may have one sun-like star, along with a red dwarf⁵ star that's also common in multi-star systems. Any photosynthetic life would be adapted to take advantage of the available light waves.

Plants that at times relied mostly on the dim red dwarf might need light from all across the visible spectrum⁶. They wouldn't reflect any wavelengths, so they'd appear black. These ideas were presented at the current Royal Astronomical⁷ Society meeting. So for healthy eating on some other planets, try the leafy dark salad.

"...the setting sun"

Thanks for the minute. For Scientific American's 60-Second Science, I'm Cynthia Graber.

"My love will laugh with me before the morning comes. I see a red door and I want it painted black."