By Sakshi Sah
Published May 16, 2025

Hindustan Times
Trending

Photo Credit: File Photo

What makes a planet habitable? Fascinating facts by NASA

Not all planets can support life. Let’s explore what it takes for a planet to be livable.

Photo Credit: NASA

A planet’s habitability depends on many factors- the planet itself, nearby planets, and its star.

Photo Credit: NASA

Unlock Now

Unlock Now

A habitable planet can support life for many years.

Photo Credit: NASA

It’s the area around a star where planets get just the right heat to keep water liquid on their surfaces.

What is the habitable zone?

Photo Credit: NASA

Earth is in the Sun’s habitable zone. That’s why we have oceans and life.

Photo Credit: NASA

Some places once thought unlivable support life. This makes scientists rethink what habitability means.

Photo Credit: NASA

Stars can send out strong X-rays and UV light. This can strip a planet’s atmosphere and make it airless.

Not all planets in the habitable zone are livable

Photo Credit: NASA

Without an atmosphere, life cannot survive, even if temperatures seem right.

A planet can be warm but still uninhabitable

Photo Credit: NASA