Theory 85/Planetary/Habitability
Habitability Is a Radiation Balance
The claim
Surface habitability is set by the ratio of absorbed insolation to greenhouse forcing, so a distant planet with a thick atmosphere can be as habitable as a close one with none.
01Mechanism
Surface temperature depends on the balance, not on distance; the ratio places a planet on the same isotherm at different orbits.
02Prediction
Habitability should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Habitability tracking distance would remove the atmosphere.