Scientists have found that Mars can also stir up asteroid surfaces, refreshing them over time. The research suggests that the Red Planet plays a key role in altering the chemical nature of asteroids' surfaces, changing their reddish hue.
The NASA MAVEN mission has launched successfully, embarking on a 10-month journey to the Red Planet. The spacecraft will arrive at Mars in September 2014 and begin collecting science data after completing a check-out period.
A new study suggests that Phobos' surface contains tons of Martian debris, including dust, soil, and rock blown off the Martian surface by large projectile impacts. This finding could enable a sample-return mission to Mars to be flown as part of a single mission, with the Russian space agency planning to launch its second attempt in 2020.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have observed a unique asteroid with six comet-like tails, challenging current understanding of asteroids and comets. The asteroid's rotation rate may have caused its surface to fly apart, ejecting dust into space.
Astronomers have discovered an unusual asteroid with six comet-like tails, which change dramatically over just 13 days. The object's rotation rate may be causing its surface to fly apart, ejecting dust in episodic eruptions.
Astronomers have observed an asteroid, P/2013 P5, spouting six comet-like tails of dust, defying the typical appearance of asteroids. The unusual tail structures change dramatically in just 13 days, sparking debate over their origin and suggesting a possible rotational breakup.
The SwRI-led ISET team will study the origin, evolution, and physical properties of near-Earth asteroids and their moons, aiming to better understand their potential for cost-effective human exploration. The research will also investigate minimoons, small bodies with the potential to provide insights into the history of the Solar System.
Astronomers found a water-rich asteroid orbiting an exhausted star, indicating the presence of Earth-like exoplanets. The discovery suggests that the star GD 61 had the potential to contain habitable planets, with water and rocky surfaces being key ingredients.
A University of Houston researcher has won a $330,000 NSF grant to develop signal-processing techniques that interpret electrical activity recorded by deep brain stimulation probes. This technology aims to provide real-time feedback to neurosurgeons, allowing them to guide probe placement and perform surgeries faster and more accurately.
The CYGNSS hurricane satellite mission has passed NASA's Systems Requirements Review and Key Decision Point-B, moving into the next phase of development. The constellation of eight microsatellites will use GPS signals to measure ocean surface properties and determine how hurricanes form and strengthen.
A University of Tennessee professor helped discover that a near-Earth object is actually a comet, not an asteroid. The body, 3552 Don Quixote, contains water ice and has a coma and tail, suggesting it may be the source of Earth's water.
A Northern Arizona University-led team used the Spitzer Space Telescope to detect cometary activity in asteroid (3552) Don Quixote, a near-Earth object that was previously thought to be dead. The discovery suggests that water and carbon dioxide ice deposits may still exist on other near-Earth asteroids.
Fermi's extended mission will enable deeper studies of gamma-ray bursts, pulsars, and supermassive black holes. The telescope has already revealed giant bubbles above and below our galaxy, shedding light on the universe's most extraordinary phenomena.
The OSIRIS-REx mission will study asteroid Bennu in detail before returning with a sample of material from its surface. The spacecraft will map the asteroid's composition from orbit using spectrometers to identify key elements like water, metals, and organic carbon.
The TESS mission will map the locations of over 500 transiting exoplanets, including small planets around bright stars. This is the first time NASA has studied a large number of small planets with advanced instruments.
Research suggests that freshwater ecosystems were more resilient than oceans during the asteroid impact due to annual freeze-thaw cycles, groundwater seeps, and dormant stages of many organisms. This study also explores the bubbling of methane from thermokarst lakes, an important factor in the carbon cycle and global climate change.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital have successfully integrated robotic ultrasound into kidney cancer surgery, providing direct control for the surgeon. This technology has been shown to reduce the need for assistant guidance and improve precision in measuring tumors from certain angles.
Dolores H. Hill, a NASA scientist, has been selected by the White House as a Citizen Science Champion of Change for her work on the Target Asteroids project. The project aims to engage amateur astronomers in tracking near-Earth objects and improve our understanding of asteroids.
A new study confirms that the body generates hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a signaling molecule for cardiovascular health. The researchers developed a chemical probe that reacts with H2S and allows them to visualize its presence in live human cells.
A new lung probe using advanced technology will enable doctors to detect and monitor up to 20 key indicators of disease in critically ill patients, improving diagnosis and treatment. The probe will also help premature babies by replacing regular blood tests with real-time disease readouts.
A Purdue University-led team has mapped the location and development of mass concentrations, or mascons, on the lunar surface, resolving a decades-long mystery. The findings provide valuable insights into the moon's origin and evolution and will aid in navigating future lunar missions.
A recent study by Brigham Young University found that employees who exhibit a strong belief in a brand's mission or cause become more influential in important company circles. Those who simply focus on their job performance without being invested in the organization's mission tend to be less influential.
The HS3 mission will investigate hurricane formation and intensity change in the Atlantic Ocean basin using two unmanned Global Hawk aircraft. The aircraft will be equipped with advanced instruments to measure eyewall and rainband winds, precipitation, and atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles.
The NRL-developed MIGHTI instrument will measure neutral winds and temperatures in the Earth's low-latitude thermosphere. The ICON mission aims to understand space weather events' impact on the ionosphere.
The EVEX mission aims to better understand and predict electrical storms in Earth's upper atmosphere, which can interfere with satellite communication and global positioning signals. By launching two rockets through the equatorial ionosphere, scientists will gather data on electric fields and charged particles to develop a warning syst...
Researchers have devised a way to detect and track asteroid collisions in interplanetary space using a new method to measure the mass of magnetic clouds created by impacts. This technique could help scientists better understand where to find new meteoroid debris that poses a threat.
Researchers found lower than expected levels of iridium and osmium at the K-Pg boundary, contradicting the asteroid impact theory. A comet explanation reconciles this with evidence of a massive crater.
Researchers study terrestrial water storage data to predict fire activity in the Amazon region months in advance. They find that during high fire years, water storage is below average before the fire season, while in low fire years, it is above average before the dry season.
Iowa State University engineers are working on a $500 million test launch of an asteroid intercept system, which could use nuclear devices to break apart incoming asteroids. The system, developed by Bong Wie's Asteroid Deflection Research Center, has the potential to save Earth from devastating asteroid impacts.
Researchers have discovered a chemical probe, UNC1215, to investigate the role of malignant brain tumor domains in biology and disease. The probe targets L3MBTL3 methyl-lysine reader domain proteins, which play a fundamental role in gene expression and cancer development.
The European Space Agency's JUICE mission will observe ultraviolet emissions from Jupiter's system, providing insights into the composition of the icy moons' surfaces and atmospheres. The instrument will also map the moons' surfaces, sound their interiors, and determine their potential for supporting life in future manned missions.
The European Space Agency has selected NASA's Goddard team to join the Euclid mission, a space telescope designed to probe the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter. The project aims to explore the cosmic infrared background and provide insight into stellar and galactic populations in the early universe.
The NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft is undergoing rigorous environmental testing at Lockheed Martin facilities. The tests simulate extreme temperatures, vacuum, and vibration to ensure the spacecraft can operate in space.
Scientists have determined the most precise dates yet for the dinosaur extinction and a comet or asteroid impact, which occurred around the same time. The revised dates clear up lingering confusion over whether the impact occurred before or after the extinction.
Researchers use picosecond ultrasonics to probe human cells' stiffness and viscosity, predicting potential applications in medical implants and cancer research. The technique could help identify cell disease and monitor cell activity without damaging the cells.
The Landsat Data Continuity Mission will extend over 40 years of global land observations, critical in energy and water management, forest monitoring, and disaster recovery. The mission's instruments, including Operational Land Imager and Thermal Infrared Sensor, promise improved data quality and quantity.
Researchers have found an asteroid belt surrounding Vega, a star similar to the Sun, and believe multiple planets are orbiting it. The discovery was made using Infrared Space Telescopes, which detected infrared light emitted by warm and cold dust in discrete regions around the stars.
Scientists studying a rare meteorite from the outer asteroid belt discovered it has a unique, diverse composition, shedding light on the asteroid's surface processes. The Sutter's Mill meteorite is an ideal sample for preparing cosmochemists for upcoming space missions.
A new study on the Sutter's Mill meteorite suggests that asteroid surfaces are more complex than previously thought, with a diverse mixture of rocks and minerals. The research, published in Science, used advanced imaging techniques to analyze the meteorite's mineralogy and structure, revealing unexpected diversity and complexity.
A new study found that the asteroid collision that killed the dinosaurs also led to the extinction of a newly identified lizard species, Obamadon gracilis. The impact wiped out nearly 83% of all snake and lizard species, with no species larger than one pound surviving.
A new study in Science reveals pallasites, space gems with iron-nickel matrices and translucent olivine crystals, were formed from a smaller asteroid crashing into a planet-like body 30 times smaller than Earth. The research team used advanced techniques to determine the parent body's radius and classify it as a protoplanet.
Asteroid belts may play a key role in the evolution of complex life. According to a NASA study, only a tiny fraction of planetary systems seem to have giant planets in the right location to produce an asteroid belt of the appropriate size. This suggests that our solar system may be special.
Scientists discover unique space weathering process on asteroid Vesta, distinct from other asteroids like the Moon, where meteorite impacts mix soils mechanically rather than forming nanoparticles.
The probe dug a 12 cm deep hole before bouncing out onto a flat surface, sliding 30 cm across the surface due to friction. The probe wobbled back and forth five times before coming to rest, suggesting the surface was soft enough to make a hole but hard enough to support wobbling
A new study finds that near-misses are perceived as frustrating losses, stimulating the brain's reward systems and promoting addictive behavior. This leads to increased skin conductance responses and a desire to spin again quickly.
Researchers found that asteroid Vesta's extensive system of troughs is likely the result of faults formed by a large collision. The troughs' unique characteristics, such as flat floors and distinct walls, suggest a fault moving apart, rather than simple cracking on the surface.
The Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3) mission uses Global Hawks to gather critical measurements of wind, temperature, humidity, and aerosol patterns in tropical storms. The mission aims to improve storm predictions and prevent costly coastal evacuations by analyzing previously difficult-to-get data.
A research team at Intel Corp. has developed a long-lasting ultrahigh-density probe storage device by coating probe tips with a thin metal film, reducing wear and increasing the device's lifetime to over 8 kilometers. The device features an array of 5,000 ultrasharp probes that write tiny bits of memory as small as a few nanometers.
The MAVEN mission is transitioning to its final phase ahead of launch on November 18, 2013. The spacecraft and instruments are nearing completion, with a focus on getting everything ready for launch and making science measurements on the Martian upper atmosphere.
NASA's Global Hawk aircraft has begun flying over Hurricane Leslie in the Atlantic Ocean, collecting data on hurricane formation and intensification. The mission will help researchers understand the relative roles of large-scale environment and internal storm processes in shaping hurricanes.
Scientists discovered two closely timed extinctions, one triggered by massive volcanic eruptions and another by an asteroid impact. The eruptions, which occurred 300,000 to 200,000 years before the asteroid hit, warmed the planet and killed marine life.
Hayabusa 2 aims to collect samples from the asteroid's surface, which may preserve water and amino acids. The mission hopes to provide clearer insight into the early days of the solar system than previous meteorite samples.
CU-Boulder designed and built an instrument to capture high-energy electrons, while another instrument measures changes in electric and magnetic fields. The mission aims to understand and mitigate space weather risks for satellites and astronauts.
A new probe developed at Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Dartmouth College helps surgeons differentiate between cancerous tissue and normal tissue in low-grade tumors. The probe reads how light travels through tissue, producing a straightforward answer as to whether the tissue is cancerous.
A new microscope probe-sharpening technique has been developed to improve imaging resolution and durability for researchers studying tiny structures. The technique, described in Nature Communications, uses a matching voltage to deflect ions and sharpens the probe around the tip, preserving the point and increasing stability.
The UK Space Agency has invested £11.5M in the Solar Orbiter mission, which will discover how the Sun creates and controls the heliosphere by flying closer than ever before to the Sun. The mission will study the Sun's magnetic field and solar activity, including coronal mass ejections that can affect Earth.
NASA's Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel (HS3) mission will deploy two Global Hawk aircraft to study hurricane formation and intensity changes. The aircraft will sample the environment of storms and measure winds, precipitation, and other factors to improve hurricane prediction.
A University of Tennessee professor has helped reveal a rare orbital shift and the density of an asteroid that will pass close to Earth. The asteroid, 1999 RQ36, has a low density and its orbit has drifted roughly 100 miles in the last 12 years due to the Yarkovsky effect.
Scientists with the OSIRIS-REx mission have measured the orbit of asteroid 1999 RQ36 with great accuracy, directly determining the drift resulting from the Yarkovsky effect. The asteroid has deviated from its gravity-ruled orbit by roughly 100 miles in the last 12 years due to this subtle force.
Scientists have directly measured the Yarkovsky effect on asteroid 1999 RQ36, a subtle force causing it to drift from its gravity-ruled orbit. The measurements show the asteroid has deviated by roughly 100 miles over 12 years, revealing its low density and making it an ideal target for the OSIRIS-REx mission.