Tides and the Hidden Boundaries of Hycean Habitability
This paper explores how tidal heating affects the habitability of hycean planets—water-rich worlds with hydrogen atmospheres. While these planets were thought to have wide habitable zones, the authors show that tidal forces, especially in systems with companion planets, can raise surface temperatures and shrink the inner edge of the habitable zone, potentially making some planets less suitable for life.
The Search for Life on Hycean Worlds: Could These Ocean Planets Host Microbial Life?
Hycean worlds are ocean-covered exoplanets with hydrogen-rich atmospheres, offering potential habitats for microbial life. The study shows that small temperature changes significantly affect evolutionary rates, with warmer conditions accelerating complexity and biosignature production. These findings highlight warmer Hycean planets as prime targets for detecting life.