The universe is filled with countless other worlds. Among the thousands of exoplanets discovered beyond the Solar System, none can yet be considered more hospitable to us than Earth. With some melted by the unbearable heat of nearby stars, others are forever encased in ice or scorched by devastating radiation.

But among the many inhospitable worlds there are others that are quite different.

There are great waters of oceans and rivers on their surface, clouds float across their sky, and showers and thunderstorms rage in their atmosphere. Perhaps these worlds can become the cradle for beautiful and unique life, as has once happened on the Earth.

And today we’re going to visit some of the most remarkable of them.