Tidally locked planet - shouldn't the Goldilocks zone be wider?

In summary, the habitable zone for a planet that is tidally locked to its star may actually be wider than the one for fast-spinning planets. This is because a tidally locked planet with an axial tilt would have seasonal variations in temperature, creating a more conducive environment for life. This scenario also opens up the possibility of life evolving in the warm zone of a planet that is otherwise in a perpetual ice age. However, this is just speculation and further research is needed to determine the exact parameters of a habitable zone for tidally locked planets.
  • #1
halfelven
10
0
Okay, so planets in the Goldilocks zone are far enough from the star that it's less likely they are tidally locked. But assuming such a thing exists - shouldn't the habitable zone be wider if the planet is tidally locked to its star?

At one extreme, the planet would have an Antarctica-sized area with liquid water under the bright spot, and frozen solid everywhere else; that should be enough to sustain life. At the other extreme, there would be a mild temperate area on the dark spot, and a steamy inferno everywhere else.

It seems to me these extremes would correspond to an orbital zone wider than the one required by fast-spinning planets. Is my intuition wrong?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
It seems like your scenario assumes that you are both tidally locked -and- have an axial tilt close to zero.

If your planet is tilted, on the other hand, you would have seasonal variations in your temperature patterns, which might actually be more conducive to life, as it would seem to encourage more of a "mixing" effect.

There is something compelling about the idea of life or even civilization evolving in the warm zone of a world otherwise in the grip of a perpetual ice age.
 

1. What is a tidally locked planet?

A tidally locked planet is a celestial body that rotates at the same rate as it orbits around its star, causing one side of the planet to always face the star while the other side remains in perpetual darkness.

2. Why is the Goldilocks zone important for a tidally locked planet?

The Goldilocks zone, also known as the habitable zone, is the region around a star where a planet can maintain liquid water on its surface. For a tidally locked planet, this zone becomes even more important since the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides is extreme.

3. Shouldn't the Goldilocks zone be wider for a tidally locked planet?

While it may seem logical that a tidally locked planet would need a wider habitable zone, this is not necessarily true. The distribution of heat on a tidally locked planet is complex and can be influenced by factors such as the planet's atmosphere and the type of star it orbits. Additionally, a wider habitable zone may not necessarily mean a planet is habitable, as other factors such as the planet's composition and ability to retain an atmosphere also play a role.

4. Can a tidally locked planet be habitable?

Yes, a tidally locked planet can potentially be habitable if it meets certain conditions. For example, if the planet has a thick atmosphere, it can redistribute heat from the day side to the night side, making the temperature difference more tolerable. Additionally, if the planet has a molten core, it can generate a magnetic field to protect the atmosphere from the star's radiation.

5. Are there any known tidally locked planets in the Goldilocks zone?

Yes, there are several exoplanets (planets outside of our solar system) that are tidally locked and located within their star's habitable zone. Some examples include Proxima Centauri b, TRAPPIST-1e, and LHS 1140b. However, it is important to note that the habitability of these planets is still being studied and cannot be confirmed at this time.

Similar threads

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
14
Views
9K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
14
Views
5K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
0
Views
706
Back
Top