The study uses radio telescope images to confirm the presence of a rotating molecular disk orbiting the young binary star system V4046 Sagittarii. The discovery expands the number of places to look for extrasolar planets, suggesting that planet formation may occur around double stars as easily as single stars.
Florida Institute of Technology professors Ming Zhang and Hamid Rassoul receive a $411,000 NASA grant to investigate the physics of particle transport in the distant heliosphere. The IBEX spacecraft mission will observe particles from beyond Pluto's orbit, providing insights into cosmic rays and future human space travel.
Researchers have determined the pressure needed to melt diamond, creating a new state of carbon, and potentially aiding nuclear fusion efforts. This discovery could help explain planetary magnetic fields and improve simulations of celestial bodies.
The European team discovered the smallest transiting extrasolar planet, CoRoT-Exo-7b, orbiting a star slightly smaller than the Sun. The planet's radius is about twice that of Earth and orbits its host star in just 20 hours.
Researchers have captured the first-ever images of three giant planets orbiting the star HR 8799. The planets, each about ten times the mass of Jupiter, have complex atmospheres with dusty clouds that trap and re-radiate heat.
The discovery reveals the planet's massive size and potential for a vast ring system. The images taken with Hubble Space Telescope provide direct proof of the planet's existence and orbit around star Fomalhaut.
The James Webb Space Telescope model is on display at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany until October 28, 2008. The model showcases the telescope's size and complexity, measuring 80 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 40 feet tall.
Researchers used simulations to determine ice VII's melting temperature in high-pressure conditions, finding a molecular solid phase below 450,000 atmospheres and a superionic solid phase above. This discovery opens up possibilities for water existing as a solid in Neptune, Uranus, and Earth's deep interiors.
A team of European astronomers has discovered a triple system of super-Earths around the star HD 40307 using the HARPS instrument. The planets have masses between 4.2 and 9.4 times that of Earth, and orbit the star with periods ranging from 4.3 to 20.4 days.
Christa Peters-Lidard receives the award for her work on high-resolution land surface modeling and satellite data assimilation, improving U.S. hydrometeorological forecasting capabilities
A University of Minnesota physicist analyzed comet Wild-2 dust, finding it formed close to the infant sun and bombarded by intense radiation before being flung out. The discovery sheds light on the solar system's early stages and potential impact on Earth's atmosphere.
The analysis of noble gases in Stardust samples indicates that some particles match a special type of carbonaceous material found in meteorites and must have spent time near the sun. The study suggests an alternative mechanism for grain incorporation into comets, contradicting earlier formation theories.
The Voyager 2 spacecraft has detected a strong magnetic field in the interstellar region, distorting the bubble of outflowing gas from the sun. Additionally, the temperature was found to be ten times cooler than expected just outside the boundary, sparking new explanations.
Recent findings indicate a trend of increasing water content in the atmospheres of planets, from Jupiter (depleted) to Uranus and Neptune (water-rich). Computer models provide insights into planetary atmospheric chemistry, predicting the composition of Earth-like planets in other solar systems.
Astronomers have discovered a young star with an elliptical ring that is likely caused by the presence of an undiscovered Neptune-sized planet. The ring is offset by 1.4 billion miles, more than 15 times the distance from Earth to the Sun.
Researchers analyze cometary material from Stardust spacecraft, improving understanding of early solar system chemistry and mixing. ESRF's X-ray beams help determine element distribution without damaging particles.
Researchers propose a new model explaining the giant plume on Enceladus by dissolving gases in clathrate ice under the water ice cap. This environment allows for a Frigid Faithful plume, which produces nitrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide gases.
The analysis of Stardust particles from comet Wild 2 has revealed clues about the birth of our solar system, challenging some basic theories. The particles contain osbornite, a mineral that forms at high temperatures, indicating a volatile and dynamic environment during the solar system's infancy.
Researchers have directly imaged a faint brown dwarf companion to the star HD 3651, which hosts a planet. The discovery provides valuable information on planetary formation and offers a unique insight into the co-formation of planets and brown dwarfs around the same star.
Astronomers used VISIR instrument to map infrared disc around young, massive star HD 97048, finding it at least 12 times larger than Neptune's orbit. The disc is flared and contains a large amount of gas, potentially hosting planetary embryos.
The University of Victoria-led NEPTUNE Canada observatory will receive a significant boost in funding, allowing for expansion of its scope and scientific impact. The additional $20 million will enable more comprehensive studies on ocean-climate interactions, fisheries, gas hydrate deposits, and seafloor ecology.
The IAU defined a planet as a celestial body in orbit around the Sun with sufficient mass to assume hydrostatic equilibrium. The new definition includes our solar system's eight recognized planets and a distinct class of dwarf planets, including Pluto.
Astronomers have found four stable groups of asteroids around the Sun: Kuiper Belt, Jupiter Trojans, main asteroid belt, and now Neptune Trojans. The new discoveries suggest a large population of high-inclination Neptune Trojans, which may have formed after giant planets settled into their orbits.
Astronomers propose that super-Earths can form around red dwarf stars via ultraviolet stripping, a process previously thought to only create gas giant planets. The new theory suggests that the mass of the central star determines whether a planet forms as a gas giant or a super-Earth.
Three tiny companions orbiting HD 69830 have been discovered by astronomers using the ESO's HARPS instrument. The newly found planets have minimum masses between 10 and 18 times the mass of Earth, with one located in the habitable zone.
A new model for the capture of planetary satellites involving a three-body gravitational encounter between a binary and a planet suggests that Triton was originally part of a binary pair orbiting the Sun. This mechanism introduces a new pathway for satellite capture by planets, which may be relevant to other objects in the solar system.
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 high-temperature minerals in comet Wild 2, challenging the formation of crystalline materials. The Stardust mission brings back samples from the coldest spot in the solar system, providing clues about the origin of these materials.
Scientists have discovered a creep mechanism in high-pressure phases of ice that affects grain size, indicating weaker ice layers in giant icy moons. This finding challenges previous theories on the thermal evolution and internal dynamics of these moons.
Astronomers have confirmed the presence of two new moons around Pluto, provisionally designated S/2005 P 1 and S/2005 P 2. The new discoveries were made possible by the exceptional resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope, which revealed the small moons' orbits with similarities to Charon's.
The world's first marine mining companies are assessing the economic potential of undersea deposits of polymetallic sulphides. Deep-sea robotics and technology are being developed to extract ore from watery depths, with potential benefits including reduced environmental impact compared to terrestrial mining.
Scientists simulated the cores of giant planets and exoplanets to understand how they formed and evolved. They found that extreme temperatures and pressures lead to the formation of metallic crystals, affecting a planet's magnetic field and surface activity.
The study provides key insights into the composition of comets, with three pockets of thin ice detected on Tempel 1. The surface ice appears to have been exposed over time through geologically active jets, revealing an abundance of organic matter and water.
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.
Astronomers have discovered a new planet, 2003 UB313, which is larger than Pluto and located in the Kuiper Belt. The object's size was determined through thermal emission measurements, revealing a diameter of approximately 3000 km.
Astronomers have discovered the first and only icy exoplanet that matches theoretical predictions for Solar System formation. OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb orbits a small red star at an extremely close distance, with a surface temperature of -220°C, and is likely to resemble Pluto more than rocky planets like Earth.
Researchers from Livermore have determined the phase boundaries for carbon at pressures up to 20 million atmospheres and temperatures over 10,000 degrees Kelvin. The study provides results on the physical properties of carbon, essential for devising models of Neptune, Uranus, and white dwarf stars.
Astronomers have discovered two bright debris disks around nearby stars, similar to our own solar system's Kuiper Belt. These narrow disks are believed to be shaped by the presence of a star-like companion that continually grooms their edges.
Researchers discovered hundreds of auroras on Mars over six years, linked to strong magnetic field patches in the crust. These events produce ultraviolet light and are not as colorful as Earth's auroras.
Scientists have found that parts of the D ring have relocated and dimmed, indicating very short evolutionary lifetimes. The Cassini mission has also revealed a spiral structure in the F ring, which may be caused by moons crossing the ring and spreading particles around.
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.
Researchers have found a young planet that is smaller than expected and orbits its parent star at the same distance as our own Neptune. The discovery was made using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and challenges current understanding of planetary formation, leading to a re-examination of existing theories.
The new Keck images capture unusual weather phenomena on Uranus, including a big southern hemisphere storm feature that seesaws over 5 degrees of latitude. The complex cloud formations vary dramatically in size, brightness, and longevity, with some dissipating completely within a month.
Researchers analyzed Cassini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer data, revealing water ice, minerals, and unidentifiable materials on Phoebe's surface. This suggests a possible connection between Phoebe and comets, supporting the idea that it may be similar to Kuiper Belt Objects.
New calculations suggest that recycling of material through small moons can lengthen the lifetime of rings and moons. This process, known as cosmic recycling, allows for the re-accretion of fragments into new moons, extending the persistence of ring systems.
Astronomers used Hubble to search for faint Kuiper Belt objects, finding only three small objects in a 15-day period. The discovery suggests that smaller planetesimals may have been shattered into dust by colliding with each other, affecting the number of comets near Earth.
Scientists have improved understanding of TGF-beta's regulation in Marfan syndrome by studying mice with genetic mutations. They found that blocking TGF-beta activity during development may prevent features of the disorder, including emphysema and aortic rupture.
The TAOS Project will search for comets by monitoring the brief eclipses of background stars as these objects pass between the telescopes and their light source. This innovative method allows scientists to detect small, faint objects that are too far away to be seen in reflected sunlight.
A team of astronomers has discovered a planet-shaped 'wake' around the nearby star Fomalhaut, suggesting the presence of an orbiting giant planet. The observation was made using the SCUBA camera, which operates in the submillimetre region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Researchers aim to understand how sonar affects marine creatures by creating a sea sound simulator. The ESME project will analyze data from various organizations and develop mathematical models to predict environmental effects of different sonar types.
Researchers are surveying and identifying underwater wreckage off Utah and Omaha beaches in search of missing WWII soldiers. They've already found six to eight Sherman tanks and over two dozen wrecks.
The series features Harbor Branch scientists presenting their latest research on topics such as the Indian River Lagoon, bioluminescence in deep-sea animals, coral reef ecosystems, and more. A portion of the funds raised will also support internships and scholarships for graduate students pursuing ocean sciences careers.
Cornell researchers use the Palomar High Angular Resolution Observer (PHARO) camera to take near-infrared images of Neptune, revealing a massive cloud and numerous smaller clouds. The camera's high spatial resolution allows for detailed analysis of the planet's clouds and atmospheric circulation.
Winglee's design harnesses solar wind to accelerate spacecraft, potentially reaching speeds of over 100km/s. The sailcloth is a magnetic field that repels ions and charged particles, exerting a small but steady force on the spacecraft.
Researchers from the University of Notre Dame and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center used an infrared spectrometer to determine the carbon monoxide/water ratio in comet Hale-Bopp. The findings suggest that the comet formed 4 billion years ago, providing clues about its history and composition.
Scientists have captured the most insightful images to date of Neptune's wildest weather, including monster storms and equatorial winds of 900 miles per hour. The new observations revealed a
Astronomers have observed a significant increase in Triton's surface temperature, causing its thin atmosphere to thicken, and potentially leading to global warming. The moon is approaching an unusually warm summer season, with temperatures rising by 5% over the past nine years.
University of Michigan scientists measure how matter changes under extreme pressure using a high-resolution femtosecond laser. The experiment confirms earlier predictions about atom behavior in super-dense environments, providing insight into phase transitions and electron conductivity.
Microbial subsurface life is likely to be found on Mars and other planetary bodies in our solar system. The theory proposes that life evolved from the inside out, using rocks for oxygen, and suggests that petroleum has come up from great depths, not from biological sediments.
Scientists capture high-resolution images of Neptune's clouds and their movement, providing fresh insight into the planet's extraordinary weather. The observations reveal a powerful equatorial jet stream and storms dwarfing Earth's most violent storms.