Editing Openai/6946e998-79f0-8007-9a65-19828450838d (section)

=== You asked: ===

: 

Yes — conceptually those are the root controls.

But:
* η⊕ only codifies those root controls,
* and does not encode any of the consequences,
* so η⊕ cannot distinguish between Earth-, Venus-, or Mars-like evolution.

Two planets can have nearly identical size and flux (Earth vs Venus), but:
* one retains oceans
* one loses them
* one evolves plate tectonics
* one locks into a runaway greenhouse

So η⊕ lumps both of them into the same category even though their climates diverge completely.

This is why you need additional filtering beyond η⊕ to estimate:
* planets with long-term surface water
* planets with stable climates
* planets with plate tectonics
* planets that could plausibly evolve complex life
* planets that could evolve intelligence

η⊕ is step 1, not step 10.