Earth’s Perfect Position – The Goldilocks Zone

📚 Key Concepts

🔹 The Habitable Zone

The habitable zone (Goldilocks zone) is the region around a star where liquid water can exist on a planet’s surface. Earth sits perfectly in this zone – not too hot like Venus, not too cold like Mars.

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Distance Effects:

  • Too close to Sun: Water evaporates → Venus (450°C average)
  • Just right: Liquid water exists → Earth (15°C average)
  • Too far from Sun: Water freezes → Mars (-60°C average)

🔹 Earth’s Orbital Characteristics

Nearly Circular Orbit:

  • Keeps Earth at consistent distance from Sun
  • Prevents extreme seasonal temperature variations
  • Ensures steady energy input throughout the year

Stable Tilt (23.5°):

  • Creates moderate seasons
  • Prevents extreme climate zones
  • Allows diverse ecosystems to develop

🔹 Comparing Planets

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