Habitable zones, also known as Goldilocks zones, refer to the region around a star where conditions are just right for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet. This is considered a key factor in determining the potential habitability of a planet. Habitable zones are typically defined based on a planet's distance from its star and the amount of radiation it receives. Researchers study habitable zones to better understand where life may exist in the universe and to identify potential candidate exoplanets that may have conditions suitable for life. By studying habitable zones, scientists hope to further our understanding of the potential for life beyond Earth and help guide future efforts in the search for habitable exoplanets.