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New Study Expands Habitable Zone for Alien Life

1/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Prof. Amri Wandel of the Hebrew University says life beyond Earth may exist in unexpected environments.
Wandel's study expands the habitable zone by showing tidally locked planets could maintain liquid water on their dark sides.
This challenges the assumption that such regions are too cold for life.
The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, imply planets previously deemed inhospitable may be promising life candidates, expanding the cosmic map of habitats.

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Story summary

Prof. Amri Wandel of the Hebrew University says life beyond Earth may exist in unexpected environments.
Wandel's study expands the habitable zone by showing tidally locked planets could maintain liquid water on their dark sides.
This challenges the assumption that such regions are too cold for life.
The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, imply planets previously deemed inhospitable may be promising life candidates, expanding the cosmic map of habitats.