Clouds may keep exoplanets cool

Even when close to their stars, other worlds could harbor liquid water

Clouds may keep Earth-sized exoplanets that sit close to their stars cool enough to have liquid water, as in this artist's conception.

Illustration by Lynette Cook

“Cloudy with a chance of life” is astronomers’ latest forecast for Earth-sized exoplanets, even if they tightly hug their stars.