Researchers found that iron played a crucial role in the development of complex life forms on Earth due to its essential nutrient properties. The study suggests that the amount of iron in a planet's mantle may indicate its potential for supporting life.
Astronomers have discovered an ultra-short-period planet GJ 367 b, which orbits its star in just eight hours and has a radius of 72% that of Earth. The planet's mass is 55% of the Earth's, indicating it likely has an iron-rich core, similar to Mercury's interior.
Researchers have discovered GJ 367b, a sub-Earth exoplanet with a density similar to that of pure iron, which orbits its red dwarf star host in under 24 hours. The planet's size and mass indicate it has lost its outer mantle, suggesting an iron-rich core, similar to Mercury's interior structure.
The newly discovered planet is classified as a rocky planet and has similarities to Mercury, with a mass 55% of Earth's. Its high density indicates an iron core, but the surface temperature could reach up to 1500 degrees Celsius due to its proximity to its star.
Astronomers have discovered an ultrahot Jupiter, TOI-2109b, with a record-breaking 16-hour orbit. The planet is estimated to be around 5 times the size of Jupiter and has a day side temperature of approximately 3,500 Kelvin.
Simulations show that a migrating planet can produce patterns matching those observed in disks, explaining why planets are rarely found near outer rings. The findings also help to confirm the planet theory for ring formation.
Researchers detected a planet in a 200-day orbit around two stars using TESS data from just one sector over 27 days. The discovery was made possible by observing the planet's transits and eclipses, providing new insights into circumbinary planets.
A new technique developed by University of Hawaii astronomer Nader Haghighipour has successfully detected a transiting circumbinary planet in TESS data. The discovery validates the method, which reduces the time to detect such planets from over a year to just five days.
Researchers use Juno spacecraft data to characterize Jupiter's atmospheric vortices, including the GRS. The studies find that the storm extends deeper into the planet's atmosphere than expected, with possible connections to Jupiter's interior.
Exoplanets HD3167b and two mini-Neptunes orbit in planes perpendicular to each other, with the innermost planet still in the equatorial plane. The discovery suggests an unknown celestial body responsible for this disorder is likely at play.
A team of scientists led by University of Hawaii at Manoa has discovered a newly-formed planet, 2M0437b, which can be directly observed. The planet is estimated to be several times more massive than Jupiter and formed with its star around the time of main Hawaiian Island emergence.
Researchers have successfully sampled Vesta's mantle using meteorites derived from the dwarf planet, resolving the 'missing mantle problem' and providing a record of the earliest era in solar system formation. This breakthrough pushes back our knowledge to just two million years after the beginning of solar system formation.
Researchers identified a potential circumtriple planet in the star system GW Ori, with implications for our understanding of planet formation. The discovery, made using ALMA telescope observations, suggests that planet formation may be more active than previously thought.
Clouds have been detected on the distant exoplanet WASP-127b, and their altitude has been measured for the first time. The observations reveal that water vapor is present at lower levels but screened by clouds opaque to visible light, while sodium is found in an unexpected place.
Astronomers have mapped out the chemicals inside planetary nurseries with unprecedented detail, revealing dozens of molecules within five protoplanetary disks. The locations of these molecules vary dramatically across each disk, resulting in diverse chemical environments that may impact planetary formation and potential for life.
Researchers analyzed deuterium abundance ratios in protoplanetary disks and found significant variations within a single disk, suggesting differences in chemical composition and physical state at formation sites. The study also reveals the presence of complex organic molecules, including nitriles, in planet-forming disks.
Researchers from FSU and Rice University have estimated that the outer core contains between 5.5 and 36.8 × 10^24 grams of carbon, a massive amount considering its size. This refinement provides better constraints on the composition of the Earth's core and sheds light on the planet's carbon inventory.
Researchers measuring the impact of the Montreal Protocol found that banning CFCs preserved plant's ability to absorb CO2, preventing a further acceleration of climate change. The study predicts a 2.5°C rise in global temperatures without the ban, exceeding the 1.5°C limit seen as critical for avoiding climate damage.
A team of scientists assembled observations from NASA's Juno spacecraft, W.M. Keck Observatory, and Japan's Hisaki satellite to discover the source of Jupiter's thermal boost. They found that Jupiter's intense aurora is responsible for heating the entire planet's upper atmosphere, contrary to previous models.
The InSight mission provides clues to Mars' composition, mapping its crust, mantle, and core for the first time. Researchers find a multi-layered crust with an average thickness of 24-72 kilometers and a thick lithosphere beneath.
Scientists from Cornell University have found evidence of explosive volcanic activity on Venus, using phosphine gas as a geological signature. This discovery supports the idea that volcanism is responsible for phosphine's presence in the planet's upper atmosphere.
Researchers have solved a decades-old mystery as to how Jupiter produces spectacular bursts of X-rays every few minutes. The X-rays are triggered by periodic vibrations of Jupiter's magnetic field lines, creating waves of plasma that send charged particles towards the planet's atmosphere.
The discovery of exoplanet Nu2 Lupi d reveals a rare planet with no known equivalent, with a mass 8.8 times that of Earth and a radius 2.5 times larger than our own. The planet's mild stellar radiation and long orbital period make it an attractive target for future study.
The CHEOPS satellite unexpectedly detected a third planet passing in front of its star, revealing details about a strange planet without a known equivalent. The exoplanet, Nu2 Lupi d, has a radius 2.5 times that of Earth and orbits its star with an orbital period of over 107 days.
Astronomers using the CHEOPS space telescope have detected a unique exoplanet, Nu2 Lupi d, which is 9 times the size of Earth and has masses between those of Earth and Neptune. The discovery reveals that the planet has a mild stellar radiation environment, making it an ideal target for studying its composition.
The study reveals features on Venus that suggest limited yet global crustal deformation driven by convection in the planet's interior. The findings support the hypothesis that planetary heat flux and a thinner lithosphere were present during Earth's Archean Eon.
The newly discovered exoplanet, TOI-1231 b, has a substantial atmosphere making it an attractive target for atmospheric studies. Its similarity in size and density to Neptune suggests it may have a large, gaseous atmosphere.
New research from UBC Okanagan campus uses geology to predict planet habitability. By analyzing the amount of iron present, researchers can determine if a planet's crust is thick enough for liquid water and atmosphere.
Researchers have pinned down the precise length of a day on Venus, the tilt of its axis and the size of its core. The new measurements reveal an average day on Venus lasts 243.0226 Earth days, roughly two-thirds of an Earth year, with variations in rotation rate due to the planet's heavy atmosphere.
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the first-ever direct image of a giant exoplanet, PDS 70b, which is feeding off material surrounding its young star. The observations provide a unique look at radiation from extremely hot gas falling onto the planet, allowing scientists to estimate how fast it's gaining mass.
Researchers detected a new chemical signature, hydroxyl radical (OH), on the dayside of WASP-33b, an ultra-hot Jupiter. The discovery provides insight into the chemistry of exoplanet atmospheres and could help search for 'Earth-like' planets.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz heated meteorite samples in a high-temperature furnace and analyzed the gases released. The study suggests that the initial atmospheres of terrestrial planets may differ significantly from current theoretical models.
Astronomers have identified six chemicals in the atmosphere of HD 209458b, a planet that formed far from its star before migrating to its current location. The discovery provides insights into planetary formation and could be used to detect signs of potentially habitable planets.
New research reveals the permanent rise of oxygen in our atmosphere happened 100 million years after initial estimates. The discovery suggests fluctuations in atmospheric oxygen levels played a key role in extreme climate changes and extinction events.
A significant portion of Mars's water is still present on the planet, with estimates suggesting 30-99 percent is trapped within minerals in the crust. This discovery challenges the current theory that the Red Planet's water escaped into space due to low gravity.
A new study suggests that up to 99% of Mars' initial water was incorporated into minerals and buried in the planet's crust, not lost to space. Researchers used observational data and modeling to resolve long-standing contradictions about Martian water loss rates.
A study published in Science Advances has found rare evidence of the Earth's early magma ocean preserved in ancient rocks from southwestern Greenland. The discovery provides a window into the planet's solidification and internal chemistry, suggesting that other rocks may also preserve signs of ancient magma oceans.
Astronomers have discovered a secondary atmosphere on GJ 1132 b, rich in hydrogen and hydrocarbons, which is believed to be replenished by volcanism and tidal heating. The new findings provide insights into the exoplanet's geology and offer a window into its interior.
Scientists using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a distant planet, GJ 1132 b, that may have lost its atmosphere but regained a second one. The team believes the current atmospheric hydrogen is being slowly released through volcanic processes to form a new atmosphere.
Researchers have found a curious signal that could be the first known world around Vega. The alien planet would orbit close to Vega and rank as the second hottest world known to science.
Researchers found evidence of tectonic activity on exoplanet LHS 3844b, resulting in extreme temperature contrasts and potential volcanic activity. The planet's surface receives intense radiation, causing blistering heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night.
A newly discovered rocky planet, Gliese 486b, has been found to have a 'piping-hot' surface temperature of 430 degrees Celsius, making it inhospitable to human life. However, studying its atmosphere could provide valuable insights into the possibility of habitable planets and signs of life beyond Earth.
Researchers detected Gliese 486 b using both transit and radial velocity data, revealing its mass, radius, and density. The planet's equilibrium temperature of about 700 Kelvin makes it an ideal candidate to study its atmosphere and habitability.
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.
Researchers from the GLOBE Institute at University of Copenhagen found that water may be present during planet formation, applicable to Earth, Venus, and Mars. The study suggests that planets with similar building blocks and temperature conditions as Earth may have oceans and continents.
Researchers from HKU have discovered evidence of a reduced atmosphere on ancient Mars, dating back 3.5 billion years. The team used infrared remote sensing and spectroscopy to analyze mineralogy and geochemistry of ancient rocks, revealing weathered conditions indicative of a reducing environment.
New research reveals that deforestation in the U.S. does not always cause planetary warming; instead, in some places, it actually cools the planet due to the albedo effect. The study found that forest loss east of the Mississippi River and in Pacific Coast states causes planetary warming.
Research led by NCAR found that COVID-19 lockdowns caused a slight warming effect on the planet, with temperatures rising by 0.2-0.5 degrees Fahrenheit in some regions. The study highlights the complex influence of aerosol emissions on climate, which can either cool or warm the planet depending on the type and amount.
Astronomers at the Center for Astrophysics have detected a cloud-free exoplanet, WASP-62b, which is similar to Jupiter. The discovery was made using spectroscopy and revealed the presence of sodium in the planet's atmosphere. This finding provides valuable insights into the formation and composition of such rare planets.
Researchers found that WASP-107b's massive gas envelope could form easily with a less massive core than previously thought, contradicting classical models of gas-giant planet formation. The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of exoplanet formation and the variety of planets in the universe.
A Northwestern University study discovered that stellar flares could play an important role in a planet's atmospheric evolution and habitability. Flares may drive a new chemical equilibrium in a planet's atmosphere, potentially making it easier to detect signs of life.
Researchers have detected a possible radio signal from the exoplanet in the Tau Boötes system using the Low Frequency Array. The signal suggests that the planet's magnetic field may be contributing to its habitability by shielding its atmosphere from solar wind and cosmic rays.
Astronomers have measured the motion of a massive Jupiter-like planet in an unlikely orbit around a double star, sparking questions about its formation and evolution. The discovery offers evidence that such oddball orbits are possible and may hold clues to the mysterious Planet Nine in our solar system.
Astronomers have confirmed an exoplanet, HD 106906 b, with a highly eccentric orbit around its binary star, similar to the hypothetical Planet Nine. The planet's orbit is likely bound, and its presence suggests that distant planets can form within the first tens of millions of years of a star's life.
A team of scientists discovered ancient zircon minerals in a Martian meteorite that date back to 4.5 billion years ago, but also contain younger ages suggesting volcanic activity in the northern hemisphere. The zircons' hafnium isotope composition reveals a primitive reservoir in Mars' interior, unchanged since the planet's formation.
A new study reveals that water on Mars is directly transported to the upper atmosphere, where it is converted into atomic hydrogen that escapes to space. The process is more pronounced during dust storms, including the 2018 global dust storm.
Researchers propose that water emerges during planet formation, contradicting previous 'accidental' asteroid collision theory. The study found water on Mars for the first 90 million years of existence, suggesting it was a bioproduct of the planet's formation process.
Astronomers detect tiny free-floating planet with timescale of just 42 minutes, shedding light on turbulent past of young planetary systems. The discovery demonstrates that low-mass free-floating planets can be detected and characterized using ground-based telescopes.
Researchers measured the spectrum of a rare hot Neptune exoplanet, revealing evidence of molecular absorption in its atmosphere. This detection provides clues on the origin of the planet and how it managed to hold onto its atmosphere.
Researchers from the University of Kansas have characterized the atmospheric makeup of LTT 9779b, a highly unusual hot Neptune discovered by NASA's TESS mission. The study reveals the planet's temperature and composition, shedding light on the formation of exoplanet atmospheres.