CosmosObservatory
Explore
Solar System
Live
Learn
Tools
About
Cosmos Observatory
ToolsAbout
Cosmos Observatory

Explore the universe through NASA data, real-time ISS tracking, Mars rover imagery, asteroid monitoring, and comprehensive space encyclopedia. Your gateway to the cosmos.

Explore

  • APOD
  • Mars Rovers
  • Earth Imagery
  • NASA Gallery
  • ISS Tracker

Data

  • Asteroids
  • Solar System
  • Exoplanets
  • Space Weather
  • Launches

Tools

  • Glossary
  • News
  • Calculators

Legal

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Space Tools
  • Contact

Stay updated with the cosmos

Get weekly digests of APOD highlights, upcoming launches, and space events.

© 2026 Cosmos Observatory. All rights reserved. Built with for space enthusiasts.

This website is not affiliated with, maintained, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with NASA or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. All NASA imagery is in the public domain unless otherwise noted. Data sourced from NASA Open APIs, Launch Library 2, and other open data services.

  1. Home
  2. Glossary
  3. Habitable Zone
Planetary Science

Habitable Zone

Definition

The region around a star where liquid water could exist on a planet's surface, often called the Goldilocks zone. It varies with the star's size and temperature. Finding exoplanets here is key to the search for extraterrestrial life.

Related Terms

Exoplanet

A planet orbiting a star outside our solar system. Thousands have been found since the first confirmed discovery in 1992...

Star

A massive, luminous sphere of hot gas held together by gravity, generating energy through nuclear fusion. Stars range fr...

Transit Method

A technique for detecting exoplanets by measuring a star's dimming as a planet passes in front. The most successful dete...

Explore Related Topics

Dive deeper into habitable zone and related concepts on Cosmos Observatory.

Solar System Explorer

Explore planets, moons, and orbital data.

Mars Rover Photos

Surface imagery from Curiosity and Perseverance.

Asteroid Tracker

Monitor near-Earth objects in real time.

Full Glossary

Browse all 66+ space and astronomy terms.

Back to Glossary