1 - 10 of 17 Comments

1. Cindy

   3 months ago

   I wonder where the author got this information-the other planets are not habitable-where are we humans supposed to live?

2. robert matzinger

   3 months ago

   Perhaps they're right in that the earth will be unihabitable by scientists!

3. Chew

   3 months ago

   Marshall Connolly, the Earth's orbit is slightly eccentric; it varies by 1.6% either side of 1 AU. At its closest approach to the Sun, it is indeed one million kilometers inside this new Goldilocks zone. But the rest of the orbit is inside the new zone. But as other have pointed out: clouds.
   
   "For those of you who feel the article is "misleading," I apologize, but you need to understand that the title of an article is designed to elicit interest."
   
   As a journalist you should know that researchers rarely, if ever, write the headlines for a university's press releases.
   
   "I am unaware of any content within the article which needs correction."
   
   Since the entire article is based on a flawed premise, the entire article needs correcting!
   
   "I'm sorry if you didn't like the headline, however, it is consistent with other headlines on the same topic."
   
   You're blaming your lazy journalism on the headline???

4. Dave at collinda

   3 months ago

   The new definition of the "habitable zone" does NOT exclude Earth. The zone is expressed in AUs - Astronomical Units. ! AU equals the distance of the earth from the sun. The new lower limit for the habitable zone is 0.99 AU, placing Earth just inside the minimum value in the range. not outside of it.

5. DLL

   3 months ago

   The time has come for us to embrace the culture of death as soon we will be all dead,as science can never be wrong because it is science. Have a happy death everyone. Life after death soon we won't have to debate that issue as we will all be dead! Extinct! The now extinct T-Rex will be awaiting us all with open jaws!

6. Marshall Connolly

   3 months ago

   According to the Penn State researchers, Earth lies OUTSIDE the warm edge of the habitable zone by about one million kilometers, but remains habitable because clouds in the atmosphere reflect enough solar energy back into space to keep the planet cool.
   
   So for those of you who insist Earth is within the zone, you are incorrect as far as the Penn State conclusion is concerned. On the other hand, I agree with you that we are obviously living within the zone. The Penn State conclusion is empirically denied, but it's a matter of definition. This is semantic more than scientific.
   
   I personally feel the definition will need to be tweaked in the face of our obvious exception. Of course, peer review may also show that the findings are in need of adjustment. The peer review process is just beginning.
   
   Space.com was not a source for this article.
   
   For those of you who feel the article is "misleading," I apologize, but you need to understand that the title of an article is designed to elicit interest. I am unaware of any content within the article which needs correction. I'm sorry if you didn't like the headline, however, it is consistent with other headlines on the same topic.
   
   Earth has been booted out of the Goldilocks Zone, as several other headlines say, but empirically we know this can't be true. The statement itself is what makes the story. To say Earth is within the habitable zone would not be much of a story. (Dog bites man.) To say the Earth is outside of the zone is the real story (man bites dog). The headline, and content reflect that, with a touch of humor.
   
   Finally, if you believe you are qualified to write science articles from a Catholic perspective, then I would like to invite you to contact customer support and express your interest. Catholic Online is always seeking volunteer contributors and iReporters from around the globe. Your scientifically accurate, non-misleading articles would be greatly appreciated!
   

7. TURK

   3 months ago

   This article is wrong. Its based on a great artilce from space.com. Who would have thought a "journalst" couldn't read. I don't understand why this news sight thinks its acceptible to blatantly lie to there readers. Please for the crediblity of this sight read the original and correct it.

8. Eric

   3 months ago

   This was a funny article! I like how you chose to admit that you are not scientists. I do have a question though: Is it the same god for these other habitable planets or different god for each? Just wondering cause the bible doesn't seem to mention any of these other plantets.

9. Ron Yates

   3 months ago

   Actually, the Earth sits on the inner edge of the habitable zone, not outside it. Really, guys, check your facts.
   
   http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/hires/2013/8-researchersd.jpg

10. Scott

    3 months ago

    Wow - this article is blatantly wrong from headline to the end. From Space.com:
    
    "The new definition isn't radically different from the old one. For example, in our own solar system, the boundaries of the habitable zone have shifted from between 0.95 astronomical units (AU, or the distance between Earth and the sun) and 1.67 AU, to the new range of 0.99 AU to 1.7 AU."
    
    The Earth is 1 AU and 1 is BETWEEN .99 and 1.7.

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