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As the search for signs of life on Mars gathers pace, scientists may soon be able to turn their focus on a whole new group of planets. For they have found that there are in fact many more habitable planets in the universe than previously thought.
The traditional starting point for calculating the chances of finding extra-terrestrial life starts with finding planets with liquid water on the surface. Planets (or moons) which meet this criteria live in the so-called 'Goldilocks Zone', where planets are just the right distance from their sun ("not too hot, not too cold") for water to exist.
But new computer models, presented at this week's British Science Festival, allow scientists to identify planets with underground water, which is kept liquid by planetary heat.
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