Tidal forces and orbital evolution of habitable zone planets investigated

How do tidal forces shape a planet’s orbital evolution, especially for those in the habitable zone? A recently submitted study aims to answer this question, as an international team of researchers investigated how tidal forces far stronger than those on Earth could influence the orbits of habitable zone planets with highly eccentric paths around low-mass stars. Their work could help scientists better understand how exoplanets form and evolve—and where life beyond Earth might be possible.