Artful Dodger: They'll have as much luck finding evidence of microbial life on mars as they have had in finding intelligible radio signals from space. I mean seriously, it's not enough to be looking for intelligible communications right here on earth?

There are many more factors that go into conditions suitable for life than just being in the "goldilocks zone". Or in just finding water within the goldilocks zone.

Of all the people NOT inclined to oversimplify what it takes for life to survive (much less flourish) you would think NASA scientists should be near the top of that list. No one can tell me that belief (aka, faith) isn't a factor in their thinking.