Researchers found that tidal forces caused by Saturn's gravity can control the timing of eruptions from cracks in Enceladus' southern hemisphere. The study suggests that these cracks, known as Tiger Stripes, are warmer than their surroundings and may be the source of eruptions.
Researchers led by paleobiologist Jere H. Lipps argue that Europa's icy surface may harbor life due to the presence of water ice, briny oceans, and tidal friction generating heat. This could lead to a variety of habitats supporting life forms, from microorganisms to macroscopic organisms.
According to ASU researcher Ronald Greeley, Europa is the most promising candidate among four worlds beyond Earth that might contain life. The moon has a thick layer of water and organic minerals, making it an ideal target for NASA's next mission. Scientists hope to measure the ice shell's thickness using tidal flexing measurements.
A University of Houston student is working on a space suit redesign that prioritizes stability and locomotion for astronauts. Her research focuses on reducing the weight and improving the mobility of the space suit, which will enable astronauts to navigate the lunar terrain more easily.
Researchers found that Enceladus's geysers spray ice particles, creating reflective surfaces on other Saturn moons and altering their appearance. The study suggests that Enceladus's geological activity supports the possibility of liquid water beneath its surface.
Jiong Qiu, a Montana State University scientist, has won the Karen Harvey Award for her research on magnetic eruptions on the sun and moon brightness. Her work focuses on analyzing measurements to understand activities in space.
Researchers propose a new model explaining the giant plume on Enceladus by dissolving gases in clathrate ice under the water ice cap. This environment allows for a Frigid Faithful plume, which produces nitrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide gases.
The Cassini spacecraft has imaged the tallest mountains ever seen on Saturn's moon Titan, with peaks reaching nearly a mile high. The mountains are topped with bright, white material that may be methane or other organic 'snow,' suggesting a unique geology and potential for life.
The film showcases various phenomena like hurricanes, satellite data collection, and ocean temperature changes. It also features special presentations about Earth's moon and Mars, offering an immersive experience of space exploration.
Researchers have cracked the workings of the Antikythera Mechanism, a 2,000-year-old computer that tracked astronomical movements with remarkable precision. The ancient Greek device predicted eclipses and recreated the moon's irregular orbit, challenging previous assumptions about their technological capabilities.
Researchers at Brown University have found evidence of recent volcanic gas release from the moon's surface, with features like the Ina structure dating back to two million years. The discovery suggests the moon is geologically active beyond its three billion-year history.
Scientists used high-resolution radar signals to create detailed images of the lunar south pole, finding abundant rocks but no evidence of ice sheets. The study suggests that any future lunar base should not rely on ice resources.
A new lunar meteorite, MIL 05035, has been discovered in Antarctica, providing a rare opportunity to study a part of the Moon's surface not visited by the US Apollo program. The meteorite exhibits unusual mineralogy and texture, offering clues about the Moon's formation and evolution.
The International Astronomical Union has named the newly discovered dwarf planet Eris and its moon Dysnomia. The name Eris was proposed by Michael Brown and accepted unanimously by the Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature and the Committee for Small Body Nomenclature.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez is recognized for his significant advances in terrestrial and marine conservation during his tenure as Costa Rica's environment minister. The Blue Moon Fund awarded him the $150,000 prize to support his work on advancing ecosystem services policy and practice.
Researchers propose that Enceladus' reorientation could be caused by a low-density blob beneath its surface, leading to a hot spot at the pole and explaining the moon's striking surface features. The study suggests testable predictions for future observations of Enceladus.
Scientists discovered massive sand dunes on Saturn's moon Titan, formed by tidal winds and unique atmospheric conditions. The dunes, similar to those in Namibian Deserts, suggest that Titan's atmosphere can create surface winds powerful enough to sculpt sand.
A recent study published in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta suggests a massive meteorite shower occurred on the Moon 3.8-4 billion years ago, potentially impacting Earth as well. The lunar rocks analyzed produced ages close to 3.9 billion years and exhibited different chemical fingerprints, indicating repeated bombardment by meteorites.
The discovery of a blue ring around Uranus reveals similarities with Saturn's E ring, both associated with small moons. Researchers attribute the blue color to gravitational forces acting on dust particles that allow smaller ones to survive while larger ones are recaptured by the moon.
Astronomers discover that Uranus' blue ring is predominantly made of submicron-sized material, unlike most other rings which appear red. The similarity between the outer rings suggests an in-kind explanation for their blue color.
Scientists will study the direction and velocity of flows in the corona, a phenomenon visible only during total eclipses. The event also marks NASA's annual Sun-Earth Day program, highlighting the interactions between the sun and our planet.
Scientists have found evidence of volcanic activity on Enceladus, a key player in shaping the E ring. The discovery sheds light on the dynamics of ice particles in Saturn's system and challenges existing assumptions about how the moon contributes to the ring's mass distribution.
The Cassini spacecraft detected 'holes' in Saturn's magnetosphere near Enceladus, indicating that the moon's geologically active plumes of water change over days or weeks. This variation affects Saturn's magnetosphere, causing material to be lost from Enceladus.
Researchers found that Pluto's three moons have identical colors, boosting the hypothesis that they formed from a single giant collision. The team used Hubble Space Telescope observations to compare the brightness of Pluto and each moon in different filters, determining their neutral color is similar to Charon's.
Scientists discovered a dynamic atmosphere around Enceladus, composed of water particles that make up Saturn's largest planetary ring. The atmosphere was found to change between fly-bys and is closely linked with plume observations at the South Pole.
Scientists have found evidence of geysers on Saturn's icy moon Enceladus that suggest near-surface liquid water reservoirs are erupting to form the geysers. The Cassini images reveal a change in the moon's shape and geologic activity over billions of years, indicating a possible source of heat for the geysers.
A new model of Titan's evolution, developed by the University of Nantes and University of Arizona, proposes that methane-rich ice stores the moon's atmospheric methane supply. The study validates data from ESA's Huygens probe, showing that methane outgassing occurs through cryovolcanic eruptions, producing temporary flows on the surface.
Researchers found ancient lunar impacts that scarring the moon to its core, potentially creating the 'man in the moon' feature. The study suggests a large object hit the far side of the moon, sending a shockwave through the core and affecting the Earth-facing side.
Recent images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show jets of fine, icy particles emanating from Saturn's moon Enceladus' south polar region. The discovery provides unambiguous visual evidence that the moon is geologically active and has a fountain-like source of material.
Recent images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft reveal spectacular evidence of an active moon, Enceladus, with jets of fine, icy particles streaming from its south polar region. The discovery confirms the moon is geologically active and provides insight into its internal heating and possible energy sources.
Recent Cassini findings suggest that Enceladus' south pole is the source of water vapor and fine icy particles, defying previous assumptions. The discovery sheds light on the moon's internal heat and its connection to the E ring, offering a new perspective on Saturn's complex system.
Astronomers have discovered the first triple asteroid system, 87 Sylvia, consisting of a large asteroid and two smaller moons, Romulus and Remus. The discovery reveals that the asteroids may be formed from debris left over from collisions between larger asteroids.
Researchers found that levels of enterococci bacteria were higher at beaches during full and new moon phases, increasing the risk of illness. The study suggests using tidal patterns as a tool for assessing water quality and identifying potential sources of pollution.
Researchers at Florida Tech are developing a method to produce oxygen on the moon using the FFC Cambridge process, which could significantly reduce costs and masses of rocket fuel. Locally produced oxygen would be crucial for achieving affordable human robotic programs to explore the solar system.
MESSENGER successfully tested its main camera by snapping distant approach shots of Earth and the Moon. The images show bands of clouds between North and South America on Earth's sunlit side, providing valuable data for planetary exploration.
A University of Chicago instrument has discovered dust particles around Saturn's moon Enceladus, sparking interest in a possible dust cloud or connection to the E-ring. The findings could help scientists better understand Enceladus' role as a source of water ice particles in the E-ring.
The Cassini Imaging Team report on Titan reveals that the moon's winds blow faster than its surface rotates, with speeds of up to 34 meters per second. The discovery suggests that meteorology works similarly on slowly rotating planets like Venus.
A new method enables engineers to design more efficient heating, cooling, and other systems for spacecraft in space, on the moon, and Mars. The system uses a two-phase fluid behavior that can transfer heat effectively, making it compact and lightweight.
A meteorite from Oman has been precisely dated to 3.9 billion years ago, revealing its lunar origins and providing new insights into the moon's history. The discovery sheds light on the moon's evolution, including a key impact event that formed the Imbrium basin.
The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft has successfully landed at Saturn, providing unprecedented insights into the planet's rings, moons, and atmosphere. The four-year mission will explore Titan, Saturn's largest moon, and shed light on the origin and evolution of planetary systems.
Researchers at Seoul National University successfully produced genetically identical stem cells through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The breakthrough holds promise for treating a large number of currently untreatable conditions, including inherited diseases.
The Cassini orbiter is equipped with 12 scientific instruments to study Saturn's rings and moons. The UVIS instrument will measure UV light reflected by or emitted from Saturn's atmosphere, its rings, and moon atmospheres.
A team of astronomers using a novel camera will hunt for planets orbiting other stars, aiming to directly image faint gas-giants. The SDI camera has already made stunning images of Saturn's moon Titan and discovered an object near Jupiter in solar systems beyond our own.
The new Medicare drug law creates a coverage gap, or 'donut hole,' where chronically ill patients will bear the greatest burden. Many with chronic conditions will face high out-of-pocket costs for medications, exacerbating health problems and increasing healthcare expenses.
Researchers from NJIT and Caltech combined NASA cloud data with earthshine records to analyze Earth's reflectance and global cloud cover. The study suggests that Earth's average albedo varies considerably from year to year and decade to decade.
Researchers analyzed 770 seizure records to investigate the possible link between lunar phases and frequency of epileptic seizures. The study found that epileptic seizures were lowest during the full moon and highest in its last quarter.
Jonathan I. Lunine, a renowned planetary scientist, will testify before the President's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy about detecting other Earths around nearby stars. He suggests developing medium-sized optical and infrared space telescopes, the Terrestrial Planet Finder, which could discover habitable ...
Lunar experts from the University of Arizona will testify about the benefits and challenges of an extended human presence for scientific exploration and mining. The hearing will focus on using water as a resource for propulsion, life support, and fueling return trips to Earth.
Scientists studying lava lakes on Io believe they may be similar to mid-ocean ridges on Earth, generating new crust through volcanic activity. This similarity suggests that Io provides insight into Earth's primitive history.
Scientists plan to deploy the Huygens probe to study Titan's lakes, seas, and climate. The moon's thick atmosphere and liquid hydrocarbons will provide a unique environment to understand oceanographic processes and predict climate changes.
The GEMS consortium presents the largest contiguous color image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, comprising over 40,000 galaxies. The team uses this image to investigate how large galaxies evolved over the last nine billion years.
Scientists propose that a massive thermal burp could have briefly insulated the moon's core, allowing it to cool quickly and produce a magnetic field. This theory also explains the uneven distribution of metal-rich volcanic rock on the moon's surface.
Geologist Schmitt presents new insights into the Moon's origin, contradicting the Giant Impact hypothesis, and its implications for understanding early Earth and Mars. He also discusses possible evidence for ancient oceans on Mars and the potential for life in the solar system.
A new excavation at Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Moon reveals a distinctive Mayan-style burial with jade artifacts, suggesting a direct connection between Teotihuacan rulers and the Maya royal families. The discovery sheds new light on the government of Teotihuacan and its potential influence on Mayan politics.
A single geophone can detect seismic vibrations in Europa's icy crust, revealing its depth and potentially life-sustaining liquid ocean beneath. The technique, tested on Arctic Sea ice, aims to uncover the moon's internal structure without the need for a costly lander mission.
Researchers are studying Europa's icy shell to understand its composition and potential for supporting life. A computer model suggests organisms could thrive beneath the thick cap of ice, while another analysis reveals cracks and ridges formed by Jupiter's tides.
Researchers at the University of Houston are developing methods to manufacture huge solar cell arrays on the moon using materials from lunar soil. The goal is to generate enough electricity to supply a lunar base or colonies, as well as beam electricity back to Earth for use in local grids.
The University of Houston has a rich history of space research, with contributions to NASA's Exobiology Program and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. Researchers are planning to go back to the moon and Mars to develop space outposts.
A lunar solar power system, proposed by Criswell, could supply up to 20 terawatts of electricity to Earth, enough for a population of 10 billion. The system would harness just one percent of the moon's solar power and beam it back to receivers on Earth via microwave beams.
Researchers believe that lunar debris may hold fossils from Earth's early microbial life, with potential insights into the evolution of life on our planet. By studying this ancient material, scientists can gain a better understanding of the moon's role as a window into Earth's history.