What effect does a sufficiently thick atmosphere have on a planet orbiting at the outer edge of the HZ?

Answer

It can trap enough heat to pull the planet into the habitable range.

Atmospheric gases like carbon dioxide or methane can act as a thermal blanket, raising surface temperatures above freezing and effectively moving the planet into the calculated habitable range despite its distance.

What effect does a sufficiently thick atmosphere have on a planet orbiting at the outer edge of the HZ?

#Videos

What Is the Habitable Zone? - YouTube

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