MSU scientists have identified alternative formation pathways for trihydrogen (H3+) in compounds such as methyl halogens and pseudohalogens. This breakthrough study provides new insights into the abundance of H3+ in the universe, with implications for astrochemistry and the formation of organic molecules.
A new study on Enceladus reveals its ocean forms distinct layers that slow material movement, potentially erasing biological signatures of life. This finding has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth.
Berkeley Lab scientists analyzed asteroid Bennu samples using advanced tools, revealing a telltale set of salts formed by evaporation that illuminate the asteroid's watery past. The findings suggest Bennu may have delivered water and essential chemical building blocks of life to Earth in the distant past.
Researchers gained insight into the early history of the solar system through well-preserved asteroid samples. The analysis revealed a variety of salts, including sodium carbonates, phosphates, sulphates, and chlorides, which formed from evaporation of brines. These findings may provide clues about the presence of life on distant icy b...
Laboratory experiments corroborate the theory that Titan maintains its nitrogen-rich atmosphere through internal heating of organic materials. The study found significant amounts of carbon gases like methane and nitrogen, supporting the existence of a geologically short-lived atmosphere.
Dr. Lisa Upton received the 2025 Karen Harvey Prize for advancing our understanding of the solar corona and improving solar cycle predictions. She is a leading advocate for a solar polar mission to explore the last uncharted regions of the Sun's atmosphere.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida used the James Webb Space Telescope to analyze trans-Neptunian objects, revealing a clearer picture of how the outer solar system formed and evolved. The study found three distinct compositional groups among TNOs, shaped by ice retention lines that existed in the era when the solar syste...
Hubble's OPAL program has observed the four giant outer planets since 2018, providing long-term baseline data on their atmospheric changes. The observations have led to remarkable discoveries, including the measurement of Jupiter's wind speeds and Saturn's ring system colors.
Astronomers have discovered a fourth planet in the unusual Kepler-51 system, which consists of three ultra-low density 'super-puff' planets. The new planet, Kepler-51e, has a mass similar to the other three and follows a circular orbit of approximately 264 days.
A NASA-led team found that cometary dust affects interpretation of spacecraft measurements, reopening the case for comets like 67P as potential sources of water for early Earth. Researchers discovered a similar molecular signature between comet 67P's water and Earth's oceans.
Researchers argue that the planets' unique magnetic fields can be explained by immiscible layers of water and hydrocarbons. Computer simulations show that a combination of water, methane, and ammonia separates into two distinct layers under extreme temperatures and pressures.
Researchers discovered that Titan's icy surface is warmed by an insulating layer of methane clathrate ice, which relaxes the impact craters' shape. This finding helps explain Titan's unique hydrological cycle and climate.
Astronomers at Cornell University studied Io's volcanoes to understand tidal heating and its role in planetary formation. They found active volcanoes at the poles, which may regulate tidal heating and provide insight into the moon's internal structure.
Astronomers discovered that super-Earths cannot form near low-metallicity stars due to a strict cut-off in conditions. The study provides an upper limit on the number and distribution of small planets in the galaxy.
A team of researchers developed a new model that incorporates all necessary physical processes in planet formation, showing that annular perturbations can trigger the rapid formation of multiple gas giants. The results match latest observations and indicate more efficient and quick planet formation than previously thought.
A team of astronomers has successfully detected evidence of water vapor in the atmosphere of a scorching hot Saturn, HD 149026 b. This finding is significant because it challenges the conventional wisdom that such extreme environments should not support liquid water.
A NASA experiment suggests that amino acids can survive just under the surface ice of Europa and Enceladus despite harsh radiation. This finding bolsters the case for future life-detection measurements by Europa and Enceladus lander missions.
Researchers analyzed Cassini radar experiment data to estimate the composition and roughness of Titan's sea surfaces, revealing differences in hydrocarbon seas' surface layers dependent on latitude and location. The study found higher dielectric constants in southern Kraken Mare and detected tidal currents near coastal areas.
Researchers detected distinct 'morning' and 'evening' sides on the exoplanet WASP-39b using James Webb Space Telescope data. The study found that the morning side was significantly cooler (600°C) compared to the evening side (800°C), with cloudier conditions also prevalent in the morning.
Researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have confirmed a significant temperature difference between the morning and evening atmosphere of WASP-39b, with the evening appearing hotter by roughly 300°F (200°C). The planet is tidally locked, resulting in constant dayside and nightside conditions.
Researchers recreated the structure of supernova remnant SN 1181 using a new computer model, explaining its double shock formation. The study also found that high-speed stellar winds may have started blowing from its surface within the past 20-30 years.
A new study by UC Santa Cruz researchers uses computer simulations to explore the possibility of life-supporting conditions on ocean worlds. The research found that lower-temperature hydrothermal vents could be sustained under a wide range of conditions, increasing the chances of life existing on these celestial bodies.
Researchers used simulations to model the erosion of Titan's shorelines, finding that waves are the most likely explanation for the moon's lakes and seas. The team found that wave activity could have shaped the coastlines of lakes and seas on Titan.
Researchers have discovered a new parameter controlling the main auroral structure of planets, explaining differences in aurora displays on Earth, Saturn and Jupiter. This study provides insights into planetary magnetic fields and solar wind interactions, enhancing our understanding of space environments.
Researchers led by Jackie Faherty detected methane gas and temperature inversions on W1935, a cold brown dwarf. The findings suggest possible aurorae similar to those on Jupiter and Saturn, possibly due to an active moon.
New study dates the Solar System's giant planet migration to between 60 and 100 million years after formation, based on analysis of chondrite meteorites. The findings may also shed light on the conditions that led to Earth's moon formation.
A University of Leicester-led study suggests that the orbital instability of the giant planets in our Solar System occurred between 60-100 million years after its beginning, based on analysis of enstatite meteorites. This instability is believed to have led to the formation of the Moon and may have impacted the habitability of Earth.
Researchers find that instruments on future missions can detect cellular material in one out of hundreds of thousands of ice grains, including a common bacterium as a model organism. This breakthrough increases confidence in detecting lifeforms similar to those on Earth.
A new study using the James Webb Space Telescope has captured the first-ever image of a planet-forming disk's gas dispersal, providing insights into how planets form in our solar system. The observations reveal that the inner disk of T Cha is evolving on very short timescales, differing from earlier spectra detected by Spitzer.
A group of high school students from the Galaxy Explorer program made contributions to exoplanet research using backpack-sized digital smart telescopes. They observed and confirmed a warm and dense sub-Saturn planet, TIC 139270665 b, orbiting a metal-rich star.
A team of researchers analyzed sunlight reflected by Titan's atmosphere, identifying over 100 signatures of the methane molecule. The findings also suggest possible evidence of the tricarbon molecule, a discovery that could shed light on the origin of life on Earth.
Researchers at Cornell University have devised a novel way to determine ocean temperatures of distant worlds based on the thickness of their ice shells. This technique can be used to enhance NASA's mission findings about Europa and Enceladus, two Jovian and Saturnian moons that could potentially support life.
A global ocean of liquid water has been found beneath Mimas' icy shell, with an estimated age of 5-15 million years, suggesting recent ocean formation and potential for life to emerge. This discovery adds Mimas to the list of moons with internal oceans, including Enceladus and Europa.
Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to analyze the atmospheric composition of HAT-P-18 b, detecting water vapour and carbon dioxide. They also found a cloud deck that mutes the signals of many molecules, and their findings suggest the star's surface is covered by dark spots. The study highlights the importance of considerin...
Researchers detected complex structure with three concentric rings in the innermost region of the disk, rich in dust and minerals. The discovery suggests two planets may be forming within the gaps, with masses similar to Jupiter.
Researchers have found that Titan's 'magic islands' are likely formed by floating chunks of porous, frozen organic solids, explaining their ephemeral nature. The discovery sheds light on the fate of simple organics on Titan's surface and provides insights into the moon's unique environment.
A team of researchers from Portugal used the ESPRESSO spectrograph to measure wind speeds on Jupiter, confirming the feasibility of Doppler velocimetry for monitoring the planet's atmospheric winds. The study also gathered historical data to compare results and validate the method.
A NASA study suggests that 17 exoplanets could have subsurface oceans beneath their icy surfaces, potentially harboring life. The team estimated geyser activity on these planets, predicting that some may exhibit cryovolcanic eruptions, which could be detected using powerful telescopes.
New research from the Max Planck Institute challenges previous claims of giant exomoons around Kepler-1625b and Kepler-1708b. The study uses a computer algorithm to analyze observations, finding that 'planet-only' interpretations are more conclusive than initially thought.
A recent study by researchers from the University of California San Diego has provided evidence that amino acids, the building blocks of life, can survive impact speeds of up to 4.2 km/s in Saturn's icy moon Enceladus' ice plumes. This finding has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth.
The James Webb Space Telescope observed the exoplanet WASP-80 b and detected methane gas and water vapor in its atmosphere. This is the first detection of methane in an exoplanet's atmosphere using space-based spectroscopy.
Research by University of Leeds scientists has found evidence that massive Be stars may exist in triple systems, challenging current theories on their formation. The discovery could have significant impacts on our understanding of black holes, neutron stars, and gravitational wave sources.
A Lancaster University PhD student used a new method to calculate the optical depth of Saturn's rings, revealing their transparency. By analyzing changes in Cassini's Langmuir Probe data during solar eclipses, the researcher determined how much sunlight passed through each ring.
Researchers from NJIT-CSTR have discovered an extraordinary aurora-like display occurring 40,000 km above a sunspot. The novel radio emission shares characteristics with planetary magnetospheres and potentially opens new avenues for understanding similar phenomena in distant stars with large starspots.
Researchers investigate geologic features on icy moons, revealing mechanisms behind strike-slip faults. Studies on Titan and Ganymede provide insights into potential environments conducive for life emergence.
New studies show that giant gas planets in nearby star systems can prevent life on smaller, rocky planet neighbors by kicking them out of orbit and wreaking havoc on their climates. Researchers found that four giant planets in the HD 141399 system are likely to destroy the chances for life on Earth-like planets.
A new jet stream has been discovered in Jupiter's upper atmosphere by the James Webb Space Telescope, showing winds reaching speeds of up to 500 km/h. The discovery provides new insights into the atmospheric dynamics of gas giants and could shed light on global temperature variations.
Researchers found distinct similarities between starquakes and earthquakes, but a difference with solar flares. The team analyzed nearly 7,000 bursts from three repeater FRB sources, comparing them to earthquake and solar flare data.
Researchers used supercomputer simulations to model possible collisions between precursor icy moons and discovered that an impact could scatter the right amount of ice into Saturn's Roche limit, forming its iconic rings. The study suggests a massive collision occurred around 200 million years ago, creating the remarkably young and almo...
Saturn's north pole is experiencing a cooling trend as autumn approaches, with the warm polar vortex filled with hydrocarbon gases disappearing. The new observations provide insights into the changing seasons on the massive outer planet, using data from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Researchers found long-term disruptions in Saturn's atmosphere, caused by past megastorms, which persist for hundreds of years. The study revealed that ammonia gas is being transported from the upper to lower atmosphere via precipitation and reevaporation processes.
Researchers have developed a new method to estimate river flow rates on Mars and Titan, utilizing satellite observations and mathematical equations. The technique allows for predictions of river flow times, sediment size, and potential support for life, shedding light on these celestial bodies' geological pasts.
Researchers have found high levels of phosphates in the water on Saturn's moon Enceladus, a key component of DNA and cell membranes. The discovery increases the chances of finding habitable worlds across the galaxy, as Enceladus can support life over a wider range of distances from its star.
Researchers discovered the abundance of rock-forming elements in WASP-76 b's atmosphere, which matches its host star and our own Sun closely. The team found that certain elements are depleted due to temperature conditions, providing insight into the sensitivity of giant planet atmospheres.
Researchers found rock-forming elements in the atmosphere of WASP-76 b, which suggests it might have accreted a smaller Mercury-like planet. The discovery provides unprecedented insight into the presence and abundance of rock-forming elements in giant planets.
Astronomers have detected a surprisingly large water vapor plume spanning over 6,000 miles from Saturn's moon Enceladus using the James Webb Space Telescope. The plume extends far beyond its release region at the southern pole and feeds the torus of Saturn's outermost ring, with 30% of the water staying within it.
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a massive plume of water vapor on Saturn's moon Enceladus, stretching over 6,000 miles. This finding has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth, as it suggests that Enceladus may have the necessary ingredients for habitability.
New research from Indiana University suggests that Saturn's icy rings are no more than a few hundred million years old, much younger than the planet itself. The rings are expected to lose mass onto the planet at a prodigious rate, leading to their eventual disappearance in another few hundred million years.
Scientists have discovered the first-ever extrasolar radiation belt, orbiting the brown dwarf LSR J1835+3259. The discovery reveals that this magnetic structure is filled with extremely high-energy electrons and charged particles, sparking new questions about the universality of such phenomena.
Saturn's rings are estimated to be 400 million years old, much younger than the planet itself, according to a new study. The researchers used dust analysis to determine the age of the rings, which are composed of ice and rocky material.