Understanding the surface and atmospheric conditions of Earth-size, rocky planets in the habitable zones (HZs) of low-mass stars is currently one of the greatest astronomical endeavors. Knowledge of the planetary […]
Habitable Zone
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Calculations Show Planets in the Habitable Zone Around Most Stars
Astronomers have discovered thousands of exoplanets in our galaxy, the Milky Way, using the Kepler satellite and many of them have multiple planets orbiting the host star. By analysing these […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
The Occurrence of Earth-Like Planets Around Other Stars
The quantity η⊕, the number density of planets per star per logarithmic planetary radius per logarithmic orbital period at one Earth radius and one year period, describes the occurrence of […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
The Habitable Zones of Pre-Main-Sequence Stars
We calculate the pre-main-sequence HZ for stars of spectral classes F to M. The spatial distribution of liquid water and its change during the pre-main-sequence phase of protoplanetary systems is […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Extreme Shrimp May Hold Clues to Alien Life
At one of the world’s deepest undersea hydrothermal vents, tiny shrimp are piled on top of each other, layer upon layer, crawling on rock chimneys that spew hot water.
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Harsh Space Weather May Doom Potential Life on Red-dwarf Planets
Life in the universe might be even rarer than we thought. Recently, astronomers looking for potentially habitable worlds have targeted red dwarf stars because they are the most common type […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Strong Dependence of the Inner Edge of the Habitable Zone on Planetary Rotation Rate
Planetary rotation rate is a key parameter in determining atmospheric circulation and hence the spatial pattern of clouds. Since clouds can exert a dominant control on planetary radiation balance, rotation […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Habitable Zones Around Main-Sequence Stars: Dependence on Planetary Mass
The ongoing discoveries of extrasolar planets are unveiling a wide range of terrestrial mass (size) planets around their host stars. In this letter, we present estimates of habitable zones (HZs) […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Aerosol Particles and Planetary Cloud Formation
Scientists recently discovered the source of naturally occurring aerosol particles in Earth’s atmosphere that play an important role in cloud formation. The particles in questions are known as ‘climate-active organic […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Cosmological Aspects of Planetary Habitability
The habitable zone (HZ) is defined as the region around a star where a planet can support liquid water on its surface, which, together with an oxygen atmosphere, is presumed […]