Asteroid Itokawa is found to be a rubble pile, providing valuable clues on how the planets were formed. The confirmation has significant implications for theories of asteroid evolution and will lead to a better understanding of the early solar system.
The new movies released by NASA's Cassini mission provide a realistic experience of the Titan landing. The images taken by Huygens' Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer (DISR) during its plunge into Titan's atmosphere have been converted into movie format, showcasing the probe's descent and the changes it observed in the environment.
A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals who have had near-death experiences tend to experience REM state intrusion, which can disrupt normal sleep-wake patterns. This phenomenon was observed in 60% of people with near-death experiences, compared to 24% of those without.
A palaeontologist proposes that gradual climate change caused most mass extinctions, including the Permian and Triassic events. This theory challenges the widely accepted asteroid impact hypothesis.
The ASTEROID trial found that intensive statin therapy resulted in significant regression of atherosclerosis, with mean LDL cholesterol dropping by 53.2% and HDL increasing by 14.7%. The study suggests that very low LDL levels accompanied by raised HDL can partially reverse plaque buildup in coronary arteries.
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.
Scientists aim to capture ultrafast electron motion using extreme ultraviolet pulses, enabling study of electronic transportation in nanomaterials and biological samples. The proposed attosecond pump-probe technique has potential applications for chemists to design special molecules.
Astronomers have calculated the density of binary asteroid Patroclus, suggesting it is composed mostly of water ice covered by a patina of dirt. The team proposes that Patroclus and other Trojan asteroids may be dirty snowballs formed in the outer reaches of the solar system.
Physicists propose a nanoscale magnetic probe to study entanglement at a quantum critical point, potentially leading to breakthroughs in high-temperature superconductivity. The probe could provide controlled and tunable settings for studying quantum effects, including spin waves and electron tunneling.
The European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft is on its journey to Venus, where it will study the planet's extremely hot atmosphere, high pressure, and mysterious 'super-rotation'. The spacecraft will deploy instruments to probe the surface and atmosphere, with a planned mission duration of at least two Venusian days.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are developing a portable machine to optimize CPR procedures using optimal control theory. They are also creating a simple probe that can detect toxic compounds in minutes. The lab's Nanoscience Center is open for business, providing computational resources for nanoscience research.
Scientists have found evidence that dust from burning asteroids can influence local weather in Antarctica, forming clouds of micron-sized particles that reflect sunlight and cause cooling. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about asteroid dust's impact on the environment.
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.
Astronomers have discovered a triple asteroid system, with minor planet 87 Sylvia and its twin moons Romulus and Remus. The asteroids were found using the NACO instrument at ESO's Very Large Telescope Array in Chile, revealing details about their orbits and composition.
A new measurement method developed by NIST researchers uses the shadow cast by a small glass probe to infer the dimensions of tiny, microscale holes. The technique provides an improved quality control method for precision-engineered products, such as fuel nozzles and biomedical stents.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new 3-D cardiac imaging probe that offers sharper, high-contrast images and real-time guidance for therapeutic treatment devices. The probe's ability to generate three-dimensional images may shorten patient time in clinics and reduce radiation exposure.
Researchers have discovered five giant impact basins on Mars that lie along a great circle, indicating that asteroids collided with the planet's equator. The finds suggest that running water likely existed in the region before surface water diminished, which is crucial for future manned missions to Mars.
The European Space Agency recommends a mission that combines key technologies from BeagleNet, ExoMars and NASA to search for life on Mars. The rover will include instruments to study seismic phenomena and a drill capable of penetrating the surface.
Researchers propose that spinels, rich in magnesium and iron, condensed from the cooling vapor cloud after a massive asteroid impact. The study strengthens the link between the Chicxulub impact and the mass extinction event that ended the Age of Dinosaurs.
The Huygens probe will parachute onto Titan's surface on January 14, studying its thick atmosphere and clouds with six science experiments. DISR will take images of the surface for over two hours, creating panoramic views of the ground and horizon.
The Deep Impact mission aims to study the composition of Comet Tempel 1 by deploying a copper probe into its surface. The probe will capture images and spectra of the comet's interior, shedding light on the early solar system's formation.
A nuclear-powered space mission to Neptune, expected to launch between 2016 and 2018, aims to gather data on the planet's atmosphere and its largest moon Triton. The mission will employ electrical and optical sensors to study Neptune's atmospheric elemental ratios, gravity, and magnetic fields.
A new quick test has been developed to detect drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea by identifying genes linked to resistance in urine samples or leftover products from other diagnostic techniques. The test uses probe technology to simplify analysis of samples that cannot be used for culturing organisms.
The Huygens probe will encounter a mysterious surface of seven-kilometer-high ice mountains and liquid methane seas. Scientists expect the Cassini spacecraft to improve the current sketchy picture of Titan's surface.
A team of British astronomers is tracking Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) using the Faulkes Telescope North and South in Hawaii and Australia. The UK Astrometry and Photometry Programme (UKAPP) provides crucial information to protect the Earth from potential asteroid impacts.
The Geologic and Environmental Probe System (GEOPS) is an innovative technology that allows scientists to directly measure hazardous chemicals in the soil. By inserting the probe into the ground without disturbing the surrounding soil, researchers can gather accurate data quickly and efficiently, saving time and money.
The MESSENGER mission will explore Mercury's searing surface, oddball atmosphere, and bizarre magnetic field. The LASP's $8.7 million Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer will address questions about the planet's mineral composition, gas distribution, and core.
The Mayo Clinic researchers have invented a nontoxic molecular probe that targets the brain regions containing amyloid plaques, enabling high-resolution MRI images in live mice and potentially human patients. The probe may also be used to evaluate new Alzheimer's therapies and provide early diagnosis.
Rosmarin developed a new probe, the C-probe, to detect bacterial infections more accurately. This innovation has great promise for rapidly diagnosing serious infections like meningitis and improving patient outcomes.
A team of researchers classifies the Park Forest meteorite as an L5 chondrite, a type of stony meteorite. The meteorite showed signs of being highly shocked due to its origin from a large asteroid collision.
Astronomers have successfully detected their first two near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) using a refurbished telescope at the Australian National University's Siding Spring Observatory. The discoveries, made on March 29, include an 100-meter and 300-meter asteroid that pose no direct threat to Earth.
Researchers predict fewer asteroids with diameters over 200 meters will hit the surface, approximately once every 160,000 years, and many more will explode in the atmosphere, lowering the hazard posed by impact-generated tidal waves or tsunamis.
A recent study evaluated eZ-Scope's performance in identifying radioactive nodes during sentinel node biopsy. The results showed that eZ-Scope allowed for more accurate identification of nodes in less time.
A massive tsunami is predicted to hit the Atlantic Coast on March 16, 2880, as a result of an asteroid impact. The simulation models a 2-mile diameter asteroid striking the ocean at 38,000 mph, generating waves up to 400 feet high and affecting coastal areas from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras.
Researchers are developing a nanoprobe for early cancer diagnosis using optical coherence tomography, potentially replacing traditional biopsies. The probe aims to pinpoint microscopic changes in tissue structure and blood flow with high-speed, high-resolution imaging.
Researchers discovered a 100-fold increase in meteorite activity after an ancient asteroid breakup, revealing a 'lithographic time capsule' of fossilized meteorites. The study found matching concentrations of extraterrestrial chromite grains across five quarries in southern Sweden.
Expert Clarke emphasizes the importance of communication, infrastructure development, and international cooperation in preparing for asteroid impacts. He highlights the need for countries to have comprehensive civil defense plans and to prioritize population relocation and geographical redevelopment.
The Stardust spacecraft is using a flyby of asteroid Annefrank to prepare for its primary mission to capture particles from Wild 2. The asteroid's small size and distance from the spacecraft mean images won't be detailed, but it provides a crucial test for the spacecraft's systems.
Scientists have discovered proof of an ancient earth-shaking asteroid impact in South Africa and Northwest Australia, using ancient rocks containing spherules formed from vaporized meteor material. The study provides insight into the earliest known meteor strike on Earth, which had a profound impact on the planet's surface and climate.
Researchers conducted a high-tech simulation to test the Mars Exploration Rover mission, which will arrive on Mars in early 2004. The test aimed to understand the nature and accumulation patterns of Mars' signature red dust, crucial for ensuring astronaut safety.
The Aquarius mission will provide global maps of salt concentration on the ocean surface, allowing scientists to closely monitor ocean circulation and heat transport. The mission will help advance understanding of ocean-atmosphere interactions and potentially inform strategies to mitigate the impacts of natural events.
The University of Colorado at Boulder has been selected by NASA to build two instruments for a satellite that will probe polar mesospheric clouds. The $92 million mission, Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM), aims to study these clouds and their role in the Earth's atmosphere.
The CONTOUR mission will examine the 'heart' of comets, exploring their composition and dynamics through high-resolution images and gas analysis. The four-year mission will visit two comets, Encke and Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, and potentially a new comet in the outer solar system.
MERBoards will provide a new tool to support collaborative processes in Mars Surface Operations, enhancing mission operations with interactive displays and annotation capabilities.
Researchers analyzed iridium levels and magnetic fields to correlate with plant and animal life, suggesting a comet or asteroid impact led to the rise of dinosaurs in the Jurassic period. This impact is thought to have cleared the way for other species to adapt, ultimately paving the way for dinosaur dominance.
Researchers estimate that about 16 percent of near-Earth asteroids are likely to be binary systems, with some featuring a three-to-one size ratio. Five such binary systems have been identified by radar, offering insights into their formation and potential for collision with Earth.
Richard Monastersky and Diane Tennant have won the American Geophysical Union's 2002 David Perlman and Walter Sullivan Awards for Excellence in Science Journalism. Monastersky won for his news article on the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous mission, while Tennant won for her seven-part series on a local meteor impact story that spans 35 ...
The TIMED spacecraft is beginning its two-year science mission to study the influences of the sun and humans on the least explored portion of Earth's atmosphere. The mission will provide a global picture of this critical region, enabling future 'space weather' predictions.
Researchers are using computer simulations to determine if the 47 Ursae Majoris system can contain an Earth-like planet. The system's asteroid belt is in the habitable zone, increasing the likelihood of finding a terrestrial planet.
A geophysicist proposes that life on Earth may have originated from microorganisms that could survive in high-temperature environments, such as deep beneath the surface. This theory is supported by evidence of ancient organisms thriving in extreme conditions and laboratory experiments showing that microbes can survive in space.
The TIMED mission aims to study the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere/Ionosphere (MLTI), a gateway between Earth's environment and space. The 2-year mission will gather comprehensive global measurements of temperature, pressure, wind, chemical composition, and energy inputs and outputs in this region.
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) has been selected by NASA to develop the first mission to explore Pluto and the Kuiper Belt region. The New Horizons: Shedding Light on Frontier Worlds mission will use a team of scientists and engineers from various institutions to design, build, and operate the spacecraft.
Astronomers discover that asteroid 1929 Kollaa was once part of the larger asteroid 4 Vesta, which is believed to be the source of meteorites found on Earth. This finding helps scientists build a geologic map of the asteroid belt and understand forces that have acted on asteroids in the past.
A global map of asteroid 433 Eros reveals that nearly half of the largest rocks were ejected from a single crater, Shoemaker. The rocks were likely created by a meteorite collision about a billion years ago.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft will continue to provide vital data on global rainfall and climate change with its extended mission. Scientists anticipate improved climate predictions and a more robust record of rainfall patterns.
A new movie from NASA's Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission showcases the final moments of the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft's yearlong orbit at asteroid 433 Eros. The minute-long video, produced by imaging team member Mark Robinson, offers a close-up view of the asteroid's varied terrain and features.
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) mission will attempt a controlled descent to the surface of asteroid 433 Eros on February 12, gathering close-up pictures of its boulder-strewn surface. The primary goal is to study the asteroid's composition and behavior, with a secondary aim of practicing maneuvers for future landing missions.
The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft will embark on a series of low-altitude passes over asteroid 433 Eros from Jan. 24 to Jan. 28, gathering detailed images of the surface. The controlled descent, set for Feb. 12, aims to capture high-resolution close-ups of Eros' cratered landscape.
Scientists warn that living near active volcanic systems poses a significant risk due to unpredictability. Researchers are working to develop predictive models to mitigate the threat of volcanic eruptions, with some areas like Yellowstone and Long Valley Caldera still considered active systems.
The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft will swoop in for a record-breaking view of asteroid Eros, collecting data and images from just 5.3 kilometers above the surface. The low-altitude flyover will provide detailed information on the asteroid's shape and surface features.