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Worldbuilding

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  • $\begingroup$ "The restrictions on water likely also extend to oxygen - it too is probably going to be rare on the planet." - So, there won't be an earthlike lithosphere? Most materials we call rocks are oxygen-rich compounds. This leaves us with the very unpleasant carbon and iron planets, both of which will mess a lot with the ammonia oceans. $\endgroup$
    – TheDyingOfLight
    Commented Sep 24, 2019 at 19:13
  • $\begingroup$ @TheDyingOfLight or gas giants. Who says you need a lithosphere at all? $\endgroup$
    – Morris The Cat
    Commented Sep 24, 2019 at 19:20
  • $\begingroup$ Maybe. Explaining the lack of oxygen will still be hard though, as it is the third most common element in the universe. $\endgroup$
    – TheDyingOfLight
    Commented Sep 24, 2019 at 19:22
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    $\begingroup$ @TheDyingOfLight In the universe, yes. In Gas Giant atmospheres, not so much: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter#Atmosphere $\endgroup$
    – Morris The Cat
    Commented Sep 24, 2019 at 19:24
  • $\begingroup$ "There may also be a thin layer of water clouds underlying the ammonia layer. Supporting the idea of water clouds are the flashes of lightning detected in the atmosphere of Jupiter." - from your source. The oxygen compounds would be in the core of the giant. This still might actually work, but then there is the issue that gas giant atmosphere biospheres are somewhat dubious propositions. Even if the locals use ammonia instead of water, beeing microscpoc sounds like a superior strategy in an atmosphere. Then again, who knows... $\endgroup$
    – TheDyingOfLight
    Commented Sep 24, 2019 at 19:31