The study provides evidence that lunar volcanic activity persisted for a longer period than previously thought, extending the duration of geological processes on the Moon. The samples also reveal that the Moon's interior was still evolving at around 2 billion years ago.
Curtin University researchers have helped determine the age of the youngest rocks ever found on the Moon, revealing they are approximately two billion years old. This discovery provides new calibration points for cratering chronology, enabling more accurate age dating across planetary surfaces.
Asteroid Bennu's surface is covered in boulders due to its highly porous rocks, which compress rather than fragment under meteoroid impacts. This contradicts previous observations of fine regolith on similar asteroids, such as Ryugu and Itokawa.
The Chang'e-5 mission achieved a successful soft lunar landing using an innovative guidance, navigation and control system. The LAM used various sensors to navigate its descent and landing, with multiple sensors providing redundancy to ensure the success of the mission.
An international team of space scientists finds that humans can travel to and from Mars safely if the spacecraft has sufficient shielding. The round trip should be shorter than four years. Scientists also recommend timing the mission during solar maximum to shield astronauts and the spacecraft from radiation.
The Dragonfly mission will investigate Titan's surface and atmosphere, searching for chemical biosignatures and exploring the moon's active methane cycle. By analyzing the prebiotic chemistry currently taking place in Titan's atmosphere and on its surface, scientists hope to gain insights into the potential for life on the moon.
The InSight mission has unveiled Mars' internal structure, revealing a large liquid core and an altered crust. The study analyzed seismic waves from over 600 Martian quakes, identifying discontinuities in the crust and determining the upper mantle's structure.
Researchers found that the Mission Indradhanush program increased full immunization rates by 27% and the rate of receiving all vaccines at recommended ages by 8%. The program also improved vaccination rates for children who received treatment in multiple phases.
A study by Politecnico di Torino and Universidade de Ribeirão Preto found that wet scrubbers used in Brazilian sugarcane industry waste up to 70% of water. Dry technologies can achieve similar emissions control with significant energy and water savings.
Roman will study thousands of type Ia supernovae across vast distances to pin down dark energy and understand the universe's expansion history. The mission aims to clarify discrepancies in measurements of the Hubble constant, which describes the current expansion rate.
A NASA mission evaluates interactions between the sun and earth's magnetic fields, which can cause explosive energy transfers disrupting technology systems. A UTA professor recruits a first-year doctoral student to join the mission, where he will learn about meaningful magnetospheric events.
Research suggests that global warming caused a shift in the Earth's axis due to glacial melting and changes in land water storage. The study analyzed data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, finding that water loss on land contributed significantly to the eastward change in polar drift.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will perform a final flyover of asteroid Bennu, capturing high-resolution images and collecting data from the asteroid's surface and science instruments. The mission aims to understand the extent of the disturbance caused by the sample collection event.
A revised position for primary strand of the Pleistocene-Holocene San Andreas Fault in Southern California suggests a previously overlooked strand poses a significant earthquake threat. The Mission Creek strand accounts for nearly its entire slip rate, indicating it may be the primary Pacific-North American plate boundary fault at this...
Researchers used quantum simulations to understand glycerol carbonate, a compound that could improve lithium-ion battery efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The study revealed new details about hydrogen bonding and its effects on solvent properties.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe captured stunning views of Venus during its close flyby in July 2020. The onboard Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe detected a bright rim around the edge of the planet that may be nightglow.
The Emirates Mars Mission will provide crucial science data on the Martian atmosphere, measuring dust particles, ice clouds, and water vapor. The mission's launch marks a significant milestone in space exploration for an Arab nation and has enormous positive impacts on science communities.
A NASA mission will test technologies for satellite swarms to operate autonomously in low-Earth orbit, setting the stage for thousands of small satellites working cooperatively. The V-R3x mission will deploy three CubeSats into polar orbit, exchanging radio signals and measuring distance between satellites.
The Hayabusa2 mission successfully returned asteroid samples from Ryugu, a carbonaceous asteroid believed to contain organic materials. The return marks the second successful sample-return mission in history, offering insights into the origin of life and potential resource utilization for space exploration.
The AMADEE-18 Mars analog mission in Oman evaluated operational concepts and optimized strategies for future human missions. A benchmarking tool was developed to improve scientific output, mission safety, and efficiency.
Researchers at Stanford University and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory propose a new explanation for the source of powerful eruptions on Europa's icy surface. The model suggests that water pockets embedded in the ice shell itself could be the origin of these eruptions, rather than the subsurface ocean.
The Spitzer Space Telescope made significant discoveries in the solar system during its 16-year mission, providing a never-before-possible look at the universe. New papers catalog these findings and offer guidance for future scientists studying exoplanets and planet formation.
The OSIRIS-REx mission has published findings on asteroid Bennu's surface, including widespread carbon-bearing materials, bright carbonate veins, weak boulders, and a heterogeneous mass distribution. These discoveries suggest that asteroids like Bennu may have brought organic molecules to Earth billions of years ago.
Syracuse University assistant professor Fanxin Kong has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to develop a cross-layer framework for mission-critical IoT systems. The project aims to improve scalability, security, and intelligence in IoT infrastructures for various industries such as medical, energy, transportation, an...
A Boston College study found that 95% of Massachusetts high schools altered their mission statements between 2001 and 2019, with a focus on students' emotional development, cognitive development, and civic development. The research also showed an increase in career preparation and environmental challenges as school objectives.
The James Webb Space Telescope successfully completed a critical ground segment test, demonstrating the complete end-to-end flow from planning science observations to downlinking data. This milestone validates the observatory's ability to respond to commands and function in space.
TESS has found 66 new exoplanets, including an Earth-size world in the habitable zone of a star. The satellite has also observed comets, exploding stars, and black holes, contributing to our understanding of astrobiology.
Researchers reanalyzed image data from Voyager 1, 2 and Galileo spacecraft to investigate orientation and distribution of ancient tectonic troughs on Ganymede. A computer simulation suggests that the giant crater could have resulted from an asteroid impact with a radius of 150km.
Scientists have unexpectedly found lightning in Jupiter's upper atmosphere, with ammonia playing a crucial role. The discovery reveals a complex atmosphere that challenges previous predictions, indicating an unexpected process causing the phenomenon.
The James Webb Space Telescope will conduct pioneering observations of Jupiter, its ring system, and two intriguing moons Ganymede and Io. The study aims to investigate the moon's interaction with particles in Jupiter's magnetic field and its potential liquid saltwater ocean beneath its thick surface ice.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory's production of ORNL-produced plutonium-238 enables the Perseverance rover to power its journey across Mars. The lab has been consistently increasing its Pu-238 production capabilities, aiming to produce 1.5 kilograms per year by 2026.
The USGS has created precise maps of the Mars 2020 landing site in Jezero crater, which will help the Perseverance rover steer itself to a safe landing. These high-resolution maps are essential for unlocking the mysteries of the red planet's past and searching for evidence of past life.
The Roman mission's ground system has successfully completed its preliminary design review, meeting all requirements for science operations. The new data system will enable scientists to conduct sweeping cosmic surveys, yielding a wealth of new information about the universe, including insights into dark matter and dark energy.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School has been selected by NOAA to host the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), which will conduct collaborative research on Earth's oceans and atmosphere. CIMAS will focus on coastal resilience, ocean conservation, and tropical weather prediction.
A veteran NAU planetary scientist collaborates with UAE and US teams to develop Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer (EMIRS), providing a unique view of Martian atmosphere. The Emirates Mars Mission 'Hope' orbiter arrives at Mars in February 2021, collecting images and data for two years.
Researchers found that Europa's ocean could have been formed by tidal forces or radioactive decay, leading to a potentially habitable environment. The team's models suggest that the ocean's composition became more Earth-like, with high concentrations of carbon dioxide and calcium, making it suitable for life.
The Solar Ring mission aims to study the Sun and its influence on the inner heliosphere using a novel six-spacecraft configuration. The mission will provide unprecedented capabilities, including determining the photospheric vector magnetic field with unambiguity and resolving solar wind structures at multiple scales.
Dione will collect energy input and ionospheric-thermospheric data, providing insights into atmospheric drag and improving space weather forecasts. The mission complements the Geospace Dynamics Constellation and marks a new era for CubeSats in gathering similar data.
Researchers analyzed Marsquakes from InSight mission, finding moderate seismic activity intermediate between Earth and the Moon. The data revealed geological layers within the planet and identified areas of high geological activity, guiding future missions searching for potential life.
Researchers develop framework to consider asteroid mass, momentum, and warning time to determine most successful deflection mission. The method could be used to design optimal mission configuration and campaign to deflect potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids.
Researchers on Australia's first space research mission to the International Space Station will investigate how microgravity affects aggressive cancers like ovarian, breast, and lung cancer. The mission may lead to new treatments that enhance existing therapies.
Leslie Gonzalez, a Texas Heart Institute perfusion student, has been awarded the prestigious Perfusion Without Borders scholarship. She will travel with The Novick Cardiac Alliance to Medellin, Colombia in February 2020, gaining experience on global perfusion practices and preparing for lifelong involvement in mission work.
Researchers suggest that exercising before, during, and after treatment, like NASA astronauts, could reduce muscle mass loss, bone demineralization, and heart problems. Cancer patients may benefit from a similar routine to counteract long-term side effects of treatments.
A new approach to atom interferometers allows for highly sensitive measurements of gravity and could be used in tests of general relativity. The trapped atom design greatly enhances sensitivity and precision over previous iterations, improving the signal-to-noise ratio by over 10,000-fold.
A new study examines the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in mediating conflict among team members. Researchers found that while humans initially engaged with a virtual agent during mission planning, their engagement decreased as conflicts arose, suggesting a limit to trust in AI-mediated conflict resolution.
Researchers analyzed data from Galileo's 1995 fireball and found the recession rate exceeded predictions, highlighting issues with current heat shield models. New fluid dynamics models using faster computers and data from the probe have led to a better understanding of atmospheric entry vehicles.
The GLIDE spacecraft will reveal the structure and dynamic behavior of the Earth's outermost atmospheric layer, known as the exosphere. The mission will make unprecedented measurements of far ultraviolet light emitted by hydrogen atoms in the exosphere.
A new satellite mission, SWOT, will enhance flood modeling globally, even in extensively studied regions. It will provide more accurate floodplain maps and predictions for areas affected by snowmelt, hurricanes, and ice jam breakup.
Researchers have developed a laser prototype that nearly meets the stringent requirements for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. The laser system features a seed laser, YDFA amplifiers, and an optical reference cavity to improve spectral purity and stability.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission detected heavy rainfall northwest of the cyclone's center, exceeding 40 mm/h. The system is expected to produce up to 2-4 inches of total rainfall accumulations in the Bahamas and 2-4 inches along the U.S. Southeast Coast.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission found heavy rainfall north of the center of Tropical Storm Gabrielle, with rates over 25 mm per hour. The storm is expected to weaken and dissipate over the far North Atlantic west of the British Isles on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Researchers developed an AI-powered decision-making system to streamline experiments, reducing measurement time and improving data quality. The algorithm selects the most uncertain step to measure next, maximizing information gain and ending experiments when additional measurements are unnecessary.
Tropical Depression 3 formed off central Florida's eastern coast, generating heavy rainfall northeast of its center. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission found rain falling at a rate of 25 mm/hour in this area.
The China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) has accomplished significant advancements in lunar research since its launch in 2007. The program plans to send the first sample-return mission to Earth, dubbed Chang'E 5, and establish a Lunar Scientific Research Station by 2030.
The SULIS mission aims to understand the nature of solar eruptions and track magnetic clouds of charged gas. It will also demonstrate new technologies in space and precision alignment of small satellites flying in formation.
The first mission involving 'Boaty McBoatface' has shed light on the connection between increasing Antarctic winds and rising sea temperatures. The data collected will help build more accurate predictions of climate change's impact on sea levels.
Scientists from IAC and ULL analyze MASCARA-2B/KELT-20b's atmosphere, revealing details on its composition and temperature. The team detected hydrogen beta, singly ionized iron, and magnesium using CARMENES spectrograph.
Researchers spot sodium chloride on the icy moon Europa, potentially indicating a hydrothermally active ocean floor and making it a geologically interesting planetary body. The discovery was made using visible light spectral analysis, which revealed distinct absorption patterns in the visible spectrum.
The GRACE twin satellite system has contributed nearly two decades of crucial data to our understanding of global climate patterns. The mission has recorded three times the mass of ice lost in polar and mountainous regions, and enabled a measure of heat added to oceans.
Scientists will study Uranus and Neptune's poorly understood regions with greater accuracy using a new, improved net flux radiometer. The instrument, developed for NASA's Planetary Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations program, features thermopile sensors and seven infrared channels to measure heat.