What critical orbital complication can arise for planets orbiting closely within the habitable zone of K-dwarf stars?

Answer

Tidal locking

While K-type Orange Dwarfs offer an advantage over G-type stars by providing less damaging UV radiation and having a closer habitable zone, positioning a planet correctly within this zone introduces a secondary, critical hazard: tidal locking. Because the habitable zone around a dimmer K-dwarf requires the planet to orbit much closer to its star than Earth orbits the Sun, the intense gravitational interaction causes the planet to become tidally locked. Tidal locking means that one side of the planet perpetually faces the star (the day side), while the opposite side remains in eternal darkness (the night side). This results in extreme temperature differentials between the two hemispheres, creating significant atmospheric circulation challenges and complicating the conditions necessary for life to emerge as currently understood.

What critical orbital complication can arise for planets orbiting closely within the habitable zone of K-dwarf stars?

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