Planets hosted by stars with low metallicity ‘may be more suitable for life’

High levels of ultraviolet radiation may cause damage to the DNA in life forms

Planets of stars with low levels of metals may be more suitable for life – study (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Planets in the habitable zones of stars that do not have a lot of metals in their atmosphere may be the best targets for the search for life, research suggests.

High levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation may cause damage to the DNA in life forms.