habitable zone

In astronomy, this is the range of distances from a star where a planet could have liquid water on its surface.

The range depends on the star and the planet’s atmosphere, so being in the habitable zone does not mean a planet can support life. It is also called the Goldilocks zone.

• If a planet is in the habitable zone, that still doesn’t prove life exists there.
• The team estimated the star’s habitable zone before comparing the planets’ orbits.
• A planet near the outer edge of the habitable zone might be too cold for liquid water.