Suppose we discover a "super-Earth" at a distance of 10AU from its star. Should we consider it to be potentially habitable?
A. Yes, its atmosphere may contain substantial amounts of greenhouse-type gases that can keep the planet warm beyond the usual boundaries assumed for habitable zones.
B. Yes, because its host star must be much bigger in order to have a super-Earth, so it will be much hotter there.
C. No, only planets at approximately 1AU will ever be potentially habitable.
D. No, greenhouse gases "freeze-out" at those distances.
Answer:A
Suppose we discover a "super-Earth" at a distance of 10AU from its star. Should we consider it to be potentially habitable?
A. Yes, its atmosphere may contain substantial amounts of greenhouse-type gases that can keep the planet warm beyond the usual boundaries assumed for habitable zones. B. Yes, because its host star must be much bigger in order to have a super-Earth, so it will be much hotter there. C. No, only planets at approximately 1AU will ever be potentially habitable. D. No, greenhouse gases "freeze-out" at those distances.