Question

UPSC Prelims 2015 Question:

The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of

1. the limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth
2. region inside the Earth where shale gas is available
3. search for the Earth-like planets in outer space
4. search for meteorites containing precious metals

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3: search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

The 'Goldilocks Zone,' or habitable zone, is the range of distance with the right temperatures for water to remain liquid. Discoveries in the Goldilocks Zone, like Earth-size planet Kepler-186f, are what scientists hope will lead us to water and one day life.
Scientists can focus their search for Earth-like planets that might support life by looking for planets in the Goldilocks Zone. The basic premise is that if there is a chance that a planet could have liquid water, there is a chance that a planet could also be habitable.

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology | Recent Developments

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