Earth-like planets in the so-called Goldilocks Zone are considered prime candidates for the discovery of alien life. The Goldilocks Zone describes a region of space in a solar system where conditions are neither too hot or too cold but just right. These conditions are considered crucial for the development of life because they allow liquid water to exist but are hard to come by in the depths of space. However, two scientists from the University of Sheffield believe they have made a groundbreaking discovery, which will expand the size and number of Goldilocks Zones thought the universe.
Dr Richard Parker and undergraduate student Bethany Wootton examined how these habitable zones present themselves in binary star systems.
Binary systems, unlike our own solar system, are comprised of exoplanets orbiting not one but two stars.
In a study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the pair of researchers have found binary systems might actually increase the habitable zone.
The finding is crucial for the discovery of alien life outside of Earth because around a third of all star systems in the Milky Way are believed to be binary.
ALIEN-HUNTING scientists studying distant exoplanets have made a stunning discovery about binary star systems which will boost the search for extraterrestrial life in space