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

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of tidal locking on the habitable zone of planets. It asserts that while tidally locked planets may have a narrower habitable zone, the presence of liquid water in specific regions could support life. The conversation highlights that a planet's axial tilt can create seasonal variations, potentially expanding the habitable area. The conclusion emphasizes that the dynamics of temperature distribution on tidally locked planets warrant further exploration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Tidal locking and its effects on planetary climates
  • Understanding of the Goldilocks zone in astrobiology
  • Knowledge of planetary axial tilt and its impact on temperature
  • Concepts of liquid water stability under varying temperature conditions
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  • Research the effects of tidal locking on exoplanet habitability
  • Study the Goldilocks zone parameters for different star types
  • Explore the role of axial tilt in climate variability on planets
  • Investigate the potential for life in extreme environments, such as ice-covered worlds
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Astronomers, astrobiologists, and planetary scientists interested in exoplanet habitability and climate dynamics.

halfelven
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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?
 
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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.
 

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