Discovery: exoplanets in 'habitable zones' have less chance of life

Astronomers have been on the hunt for habitable exoplanets since the first one was discovered. But since that discovery, astronomers have been finding out more and more reasons that complicate the possible existence of life on other planets.

Many exoplanets fall into what astronomers call the "habitable zone" which is a zone in space relative to their star where planets are able to maintain liquid water on their surface. These planets in the "habitable zone" are deemed the most likely to harbor forms of life. However, a recent study has found that not all exoplanets in this zone are prime candidates.

The study found that some exoplanets are subjected to radiation bursts from their neighboring star, and depending on the exoplanet, these radiation bursts could have significant impacts on the planet's atmosphere and, therefore, the chance of life. The study, which was published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters took into account the power of the solar bursts, the exoplanets' magnetic fields, and the atmospheric shielding. For more information on these findings, check out this link here.