No Place Like Home?

Are There Planets More Habitable Than Earth?

With all the problems humans face managing Earth's resources for the benefit of all, many people wonder about the feasibility of abandoning Earth and moving to a superior home. Are there, as some researchers suggest, planets better suited for habitability than Earth? Three astronomers at the University of Washington think so. They have published a paper listing 24 candidates as possibilities for "superhabitable" planets.¹ Naturally, their paper has caused quite a stir, especially on the internet.

Superhabitability Criteria

The three astronomers...