Goldilocks zone

or goldilocks zone

noun

, Astronomy.

1. a zone around a star having temperatures and other conditions that can support life on planets:

   Mars is thought to lie on the outer edge of the sun's Goldilocks zone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Goldilocks zone¹

After the fairy-tale character Goldilocks

Example Sentences

Williams describes it as looking for a “Goldilocks zone.”

From Slate

"Iodine disrupts the intermolecular bonds holding sulfur molecules together by just the right amount to lower its melting point to the Goldilocks zone -- above room temperature yet low enough for the cathode to be periodically re-healed via melting."

From Science Daily

For the past 10,000 years humans have lived in a “Goldilocks Zone” where Earth’s temperature variations were relatively stable.

From Seattle Times

The Rwanda bill must be in the "Goldilocks zone" between being "tough enough", abiding by international law and being acceptable to Rwanda, Home Secretary James Cleverly has said.

From BBC

The planet is in what astronomers call ''the Goldilocks zone' - the right distance away from its star for the surface temperature to be neither too hot, nor too cold, but just right for there to be liquid water, which is essential to support life.

From BBC