Habitable Zone Around Binary Star Systems

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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology
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Definition

In a binary star system, a planet may in principle exist in an orbit around either of the stars or in an orbit that surrounds both stars of the binary. In the latter case, we refer to the planet as a circumbinary planet. The corresponding habitable zone (HZ) may be assumed to be an annulus around the binary where an Earth-like planet (with similar atmospheric composition to that of Earth) with a sufficient amount of water can permanently maintain liquid water on its solid surface.

Basic Methodology

To calculate the boundaries of the habitable zone (HZ) around a binary star system (circumbinary orbits), it is assumed that the HZ is an annulus around the binary where an Earth-like planet (with similar atmospheric composition as that of Earth) and sufficient amount of water can permanently maintain liquid water on its solid surface. The locations of the boundaries of the HZ, and therefore the capability of the planet in maintaining conditions for habitability, depend on the...

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Correspondence to Nader Haghighipour .

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Haghighipour, N. (2023). Habitable Zone Around Binary Star Systems. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-65093-6_5289

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