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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Three undergraduate students at the University of Alberta designed a space suit for Mars that balances radiation protection, mobility, and cost efficiency. The suit incorporates new polymeric materials, such as Demron, and innovative designs like ball bearings and compression rings to address the unique challenges of Martian exploration.
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.
Researchers confirm previous detection of chlorine in Io's plasma torus and model the breakdown of salt into sodium and chlorine atoms, providing insights into Io's volcanic activity and its potential meteoritic origins.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists discover that internal waves generated by the moon's pull at the Hawaiian Ridge can mix ocean waters at rates up to 1,000 times more intense than in areas without such topography. The measurements provide new insights into the global ocean circulation and nutrient cycles.
A team led by Tom Murphy will use laser ranging and a large telescope to measure the moon's distance from Earth with accuracy of a millimeter. The project will also test Einstein's equivalence principle and the strength of gravitational interaction, providing insights into gravity's nature.
Researchers found evidence that materials produced in the sun's atmosphere are ejected directly outward, forming the solar wind. This discovery contradicts a theory suggesting these materials circulate in the sun's interior before being ejected.
Researchers found evidence of liquid water on Earth 4.4 billion years ago, contradicting previous views on the planet's formation. The discovery suggests an early Earth with conditions that could support life, raising questions about the moon's formation and potential for life.
Researchers used Hubble data to study Io's mantle, finding similarities with Earth's. The study suggests Io may have undergone differentiation in a process similar to Earth's, indicating a similar oxidation state in the mantle.
A physicist claims that scientists have underestimated the devastating potential costs of creating killer strangelets at a new US particle accelerator. The probability of such an event is tiny, but Kent argues that the scale of the destruction should be considered in risk assessments.
Scientists have found a mid-mass black hole in the M82 galaxy, which packs the mass of at least 500 suns into a region about the size of the Moon. The discovery opens a new field of research and suggests that such black holes may exist in our own galaxy.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a technique to simulate various gravitational environments using a magnetic levitation method. This allows them to study the behavior of liquids and solids in conditions ranging from Earth's gravity to zero-G environments, providing new insights into fluid dynamics.
A University of Colorado Boulder research team has confirmed a theory about charged dust in space, explaining how it affects spacecraft and astronauts. The study used an experiment to levitate particles with positive charge above the moon's surface.
A study reveals that nearly 900 potentially hazardous asteroids are hurtling towards Earth, with some passing within a few moon distances every year. The researchers estimate that only 40% of kilometer-or-larger asteroids have been discovered, leaving the remaining 60% potentially difficult to find.
A team of Boston University astronomers has captured new ground-based photos of Mercury's surface, revealing details similar to those on the Moon. The images, taken in August 1998, show bright craters and dark lunar mare-like markings, providing insights into Mercury's geology.