We tend to imagine the habitable zone as a narrow ring around a star, but icy moons have transformed that picture. Far beyond the reach of life-sustaining sunlight, vast oceans may remain liquid beneath their frozen surfaces—warmed by the constant gravitational flexing of the giant planets they orbit.

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The most promising homes for alien life may orbit in the cosmic deep freeze, where tidal heating from giant planets keeps hidden oceans warm and potentially habitable. The post We tend to imagine the habitable zone as a narrow ring around a star, but icy moons have transformed that picture. Far beyond the reach of life-sustaining sunlight, vast oceans may remain liquid beneath their frozen surfaces—warmed by the constant gravitational flexing of the giant planets they orbit. appeared first on Space Daily .