Their simulations included the effects of eclipses and tidal heating on climate for an earth-twin in orbit around a Jupiter-like gaseous giant planet.

FORBES: Earth-Like Exo-Moons Can Lurk Well Beyond Planetary Habitable Zones, Say Astronomers

Moons that orbit their planet too closely will experience strong tidal heating and a runaway greenhouse effect that would boil away any surface water.

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In December 1995 the space probe Galileo showed that Europa probably has an ocean beneath its icy crust, with tidal heating providing a likely energy source.

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The astronomers, whose research is detailed in the January issue of the journal Astrobiology, say the effects of tidal heating must be considered when determining an exomoon's habitability.

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In their paper, the co-authors argue that gravitational tidal heating caused by the gravitational friction of an earth-like exo-moon on an eccentric orbit around a Jupiter-like planet lying at a Jupiter-like distance from its parent star, could, in fact, create habitable conditions.

FORBES: Earth-Like Exo-Moons Can Lurk Well Beyond Planetary Habitable Zones, Say Astronomers

Its priorities include wave and tidal energy, and renewable district heating.

BBC: Alex Salmond launches ?103m renewable energy fund