Hi All

Eugene Chiang is a researcher into oligarchic planet formation processes and his work is the inspiration for NS's cover story "There are 9... [no] 23 planets in the Solar System" which describes the possible large numbers of Mars-to-Earth sized proto-Jovian cores that could be between the fringe of the Scattered Disk and the Oort cloud.

So the trans-Plutonian wastes could have planets aplenty if Oort colonisers get homesick for planets. But they'll be cold out in the "Moonlight Zone" - everything past ~ 650 AU is in Sunshine that's weaker than a full Moon's light.

COLD... but only on top. A bit of geothermal heat might allow oceans beneath ice-packs. Alternatively the planets might've picked up some H/He before they got boosted. A 1000 bar atmosphere warmed by geothermal heat might be stable and allow water oceans at ~ 300 K.

Interesting...

Adam