The Habitable Zone

By: Aidan Chan

Language: en-us

Categories: Science, Astronomy, Life

The Habitable Zone brings you weekly explorations of astrobiology and life in the universe. Join us as we uncover life’s greatest frontier.

Episodes

EP 11: From Giants to Super-Earths

Oct 27, 2025

In this episode, we will be exploring the study and comparison of giants' atmospheres within and beyond our solar system. We will also unveil the newest Super-Earth, GJ-251c

Original Sources:

Study of Atmosphere: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2510.17926

GJ-251c: https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/ae0e20

This Episode was Filmed by Aidan Chan and Vriddhi Mittal. Editing by Aidan Chan.

Duration: 00:21:03

EP 10: A Wet Universe

Oct 20, 2025

In this episode, we will be discussing water in the astronomical community.

Original Sources:

Heavy Water: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02663-y

HWO: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2510.07349

This Episode was Filmed by Aidan Chan and Vriddhi Mittal. Editing by Aidan Chan.

Duration: 00:17:54

EP 9: Hidden Oceans in the Clouds

Oct 20, 2025

In this episode, we will be discussing water in the Venus' clouds.

Original Sources:

https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008582

This Episode was Filmed by Aidan Chan and Vriddhi Mittal. Editing by Aidan Chan.

Duration: 00:07:28

EP 8: Molecules in Stars and Moons

Oct 06, 2025

In this episode, we will discuss the discoveries of phosphine on Wolf 1130C and sub-ice organic compounds on Enceladus.

Original Sources:

Wolf 1130C: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adu0401

Enceladus: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02655-y

This Episode was Filmed by Aidan Chan and Vriddhi Mittal. Editing by Aidan Chan.

Duration: 00:21:59

EP 7: Where there's wind and water

Sep 29, 2025

In this episode, we will be discussing wind patterns on Titan as well as a planetesimal that is incredibly water-dense.

Original Sources:

Winds: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2509.16937

Planetesimal: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf1424

This Episode was Filmed by Aidan Chan and Vriddhi Mittal. Editing by Aidan Chan.

Duration: 00:19:13

EP 6: Poro-pity

Sep 22, 2025

In this episode, we will only be covering one topic, but it may have important repercussions in the world of astronomy. Prepare to be penalized for improper porosity predictions!

Original Source: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2509.10292

Visit the NASA Exoplanet Archive!

https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/

This Episode was Filmed by Aidan Chan and Vriddhi Mittal. Editing by Aidan Chan.

Duration: 00:10:31

EP 4: Trapp(ist)ed with an Asteroid, a Soot Planet, and a Gas Giant

Sep 08, 2025

In this episode, we will be covering four new interesting topics. There's a new rookie gas giant in town, and an asteroid, but watch out! Hold your breathe, some planets may not have air.

Original Sources:

Trappist-1b: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2509.02120

WISPIT 2b: https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adf7a5

Soot Planets: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2508.16781

Ryugu: https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14040111

At the publishing of this episode, the candidate exoplanet Alpha Centauri Ab has not been c...

Duration: 00:28:42

EP 5: Giant Quasars and Tiny Dwarf Planets

Sep 08, 2025

In our first weekly episode, we will discuss the large and the small. The supermassive quasars at the center of Galaxy's are the hot topic, but don't ignore the small but mighty Makemake!

Original Sources:

Quasars: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2505.04825

Makemake: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2509.06772

This Episode was Filmed by Aidan Chan and Vriddhi Mittal. Editing by Aidan Chan.

Duration: 00:18:16

EP 3: Innerworlds and Otherworlds

Aug 25, 2025

In this episode, we'll be covering a wide range of topics, from the study of the inside of our own world, to the discovery of new worlds with two stars. Along the way we'll visit Ceres, the sleeper pick of formerly habitable worlds, and take a look into Mellitic Acid, one of the most stable molecules to form protocells. Follow along as we go from beneath our feet to above our skies!

Original Sources:

Ceres: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adt3283

A Decade of Global Water Cycle Monitoring: NASA Soil Moisture...

Duration: 00:17:32

EP 2: 4 OH's
Aug 10, 2025

In this Episode, We'll be covering four incredible discoveries from the past two weeks. Cosmic Rays, New Planets, and Coral Structures on Mars are all on todays itinerary outside of our planet. But thats only three, and there's a fourth OH on the way!
(Methanetetrol contains four hydroxyl groups (OH))

Original Sources:
Cosmic Rays: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1473550425100025
New Planet: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2508.03814
Paposo Image
Methanetetrol Synthesis: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61561-z

Duration: 00:17:17

EP 1: Protocells, Protoplanetary Disks, and some Clay
Jul 27, 2025

In this Episode, We'll be covering 4 incredible discoveries from the past two weeks. The discovery of potential protocells on Titan, Protoplanetary disks with the compounds for life, developing new star systems, and Clay on Mars will all be covered in the first official episode of The Habitable Zone.

Original Sources/Research:
Protocells on Titan: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1473550425100037
ethylene glycol and glycolonitrile in V883 Orionis: https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adec6e
HOPS-315: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09163-z
Clay Layer on Mars: https://doi.org/10.1038...
Duration: 00:19:07