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This research aims to establish a time-dependent framework to assess planetary habitability over the long term, influenced by natural satellites.

February 5, 2026Open Access

A Time-Dependent Framework for Planetary Habitability: The Role of Natural Satellites

Key Points

This research aims to establish a time-dependent framework to assess planetary habitability over the long term, influenced by natural satellites.
Proposed a conceptual framework for planetary habitability, H(t).
Integrated various factors like obliquity stabilization and tidal interactions.
Classified satellite regimes and applied them to Solar System case studies.
Demonstrated different planet-satellite configurations lead to varying persistence of habitability.
Indicated that natural satellites play a significant role in maintaining stable habitable conditions over time.

Abstract

This work presents a conceptual, time-dependent framework for planetary habitability, H(t), aimed at capturing the long-term stability of habitable conditions rather than their instantaneous suitability. The framework integrates the dynamical influence of natural satellites through obliquity stabilization, tidal interactions, geophysical activity, and atmospheric mass loss. A classification of satellite regimes is proposed and applied to selected Solar System case studies to illustrate how different planet–satellite configurations affect the temporal persistence of habitability. The study is intended as a qualitative and testable framework that complements traditional habitability criteria and provides a basis for future numerical and observational investigations.

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