It's mentioned in the preceding article and the two papers that are linked.

In spite of the title no one is wondering if aliens moved planets around to park them in special orbits. It's infinitely more likely the resonances developed naturally.

Also, none of the planets are in the habitable zone, so it's unlikely there's life on them.

Which is a shame, because if the star was much dimmer and they were in the habitable zone, the views would make a stunning tourist attraction.

> Also, none of the planets are in the habitable zone, so it's unlikely there's life on them.

Why would somebody want to live on the arms of a clock??

To high-five all the other monkeys round the outer edge of the face, of course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBIg7LEHs-0

Of all places, I did not expect to see a Rhythm Heaven reference on HN. :D Brings back memories

It's not my first: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38927430

Habitable zone is made up concept. Life forms can exist in many conditions.

I am very interested to learn the evidence you have that life can develop outside a star’s habitable zone.

I’m getting the sense they can be too close to form life, but can form further out with the right planetary characteristics. How often favorable atmospheres form would be interesting.

Taken another way: Venus’ atmosphere would get more “tame” further out. That might make it more conducive to life. But would its atmosphere still form at those distances? (Clearly it’s not impossible.)

The article seemed to imply such a system may be interesting as a "communication relay" for extraterrestrial civilizations. No matter what the system may attract anyone's attention