Fact-Check Article: "There are only two worlds in the Solar System that have stable bodies of liquid on its surface"
What We Know
The claim that "there are only two worlds in the Solar System that have stable bodies of liquid on its surface" is misleading. According to NASA's Ocean Worlds report, Earth is the only celestial body known to have consistent, stable bodies of liquid water on its surface. Other celestial bodies, such as Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus, are believed to have subsurface oceans, but they do not have stable liquid water on their surfaces due to their icy crusts (NOAA).
Furthermore, while Mars has shown signs of water in the past, it does not currently have stable liquid water on its surface (Wikipedia). The presence of liquid water is maintained on Earth due to its atmospheric pressure and position within the Sun's habitable zone, which allows water to remain liquid for extended periods (Wikipedia).
Analysis
The assertion that there are only two worlds with stable bodies of liquid water is fundamentally flawed. The primary source of this information, the NOAA, clearly states that Earth is the only known body with stable liquid water on its surface. This is corroborated by multiple sources, including NASA and Wikipedia, which emphasize that while other celestial bodies may have subsurface oceans, they lack stable liquid water on their surfaces.
The sources used to support the claim do not provide evidence of any other celestial bodies having stable liquid water on their surfaces. Instead, they highlight the unique conditions on Earth that allow for such stability. For example, the Extraterrestrial Liquid Water Wikipedia article notes that many celestial bodies have hydrospheres, but only Earth maintains stable liquid water due to its atmospheric conditions.
The reliability of the sources is high, as they are published by reputable organizations like NASA and NOAA, which are known for their scientific rigor. The information is consistent across multiple credible sources, reinforcing the conclusion that the claim is inaccurate.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that "there are only two worlds in the Solar System that have stable bodies of liquid on its surface" is incorrect. Earth is the only known celestial body with stable liquid water on its surface, while other bodies like Europa and Enceladus may have subsurface oceans but do not have liquid water on their surfaces. This distinction is crucial in understanding the unique conditions that allow for life as we know it.
