A team of researchers from MIT has detected optical features around Chiron that may signal the presence of a ring system, jets, or a shell of dust. The findings are based on observations of a stellar occultation in 2011, which revealed symmetrical and sharp features near the start and end of the event.
A team of scientists suggests that hydrothermal processes at the rock-water boundary could produce methane in Enceladus' ocean. Analyzing Cassini data, they propose two possible explanations for the moon's methane abundance: one involving hydrothermal activity and another based on ice formation/melting cycles.
A new study by a team of Cassini mission scientists led by the University of Colorado Boulder has found evidence of hydrothermal activity on Enceladus, a Saturn moon with remarkable geologic activity. The tiny grains of rock detected near Saturn imply that seawater infiltrates and reacts with a rocky crust, emerging as a heated, minera...
Researchers at Cornell University have modeled a methane-based, oxygen-free life form that can metabolize and reproduce like life on Earth. The theorized cell membrane, called an azotosome, is composed of small organic nitrogen compounds and shows stability and flexibility similar to Earth's phospholipid membranes.
Researchers use laser-driven compression to study extreme conditions inside planets, revealing properties of silica that determine planet formation and evolution. The findings suggest large rocky planets may have long-lived oceans at depth and could explain the existence of planets like Neptune and Uranus.
A University of Texas at Arlington astrophysicist has created a new online tool called BinHab that can calculate the regions of binary systems favorable for life. The tool uses a comprehensive mathematical approach to consider both stellar radiation and gravitational influence, directly relevant to NASA's Kepler mission.
Research led by Devon Burr shows that Titan's winds must blow faster than previously thought to move sand, explaining the formation of massive dunes. The discovery validates older models for thin atmospheres like comets and asteroids.
New research at Arizona State University's Planetary Aeolian Laboratory found that wind speeds necessary to move sand-size particles on Titan are about 40 percent too low. Dune particles on Titan need winds of at least 3.2 miles per hour to start moving, contradicting previous estimates.
Researchers used NASA wind tunnel to study threshold speeds for particle movement on Titan, finding higher speeds than predicted from Earth-based models. The findings can help understand atmospheric forces on icy moons and planets with thin or thick atmospheres.
A new study by McGill University and UCL finds that Mars experiences a transitional 'macroweather' regime between weather and climate. The sun plays a major role in determining macroweather on Mars, with temperature and wind fluctuations occurring over 1.8 Martian days.
Astronomers have taken the first time-lapse images of an expanding fireball from a 'nova' star, providing new insights into this rare celestial phenomenon. The data reveal that the fireball expands at a rate faster than previously predicted, engulfing a region comparable to Earth's orbit within a day.
Scientists have discovered an unexpected high-altitude methane ice cloud on Saturn's moon Titan, similar to those found near Earth's poles. The cloud formed in the stratosphere, well above cruising altitude, due to temperature differences between latitudes, allowing methane ice to condense and form.
Scientists have found intriguing zones of organic molecules shifted away from Titan's north and south poles, contradicting expectations. The discovery may provide insights into the complex chemistry of Titan's atmosphere and its potential connection to Earth's early atmosphere.
Researchers found large patches of trace gases shining brightly near Titan's poles, with unexpected east-to-west variations. These findings are consistent with observations made by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which found cloud caps and high concentrations of gases over the poles.
Astronomers using Cassini data infer the presence of a potentially rugby ball-shaped rocky core or sloshing sub-surface ocean in Mimas. The moon's unusual wobble reveals surface displacement of up to 6 kilometers, contradicting predictions of uniform interior structure.
Astronomers have discovered a Uranus-like planet 25,000 light-years away, which orbits one star in a binary system. The planet's composition remains unknown due to its immense distance from the star.
Brown dwarf W0855, located just four light-years from our Sun, exhibits frozen clouds of sulfide and water in its atmosphere. This breakthrough finding, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, provides crucial insights into the atmospheric composition of exoplanet candidates.
Physicists from UT Arlington believe following a trail of radio wave emissions may lead them to the discovery of an exomoon. They suggest using detailed calculations about the Jupiter/Io dynamic to look for radio emissions that could indicate moons orbiting an exoplanet.
Researchers discovered active microbes in tiny droplets of water, revealing diverse bacteria and archaea. These microorganisms also degrade oil in asphalt, suggesting a similar process could be used to clean up oil spills.
The Voyager and IBEX missions have greatly expanded our understanding of the outer heliosphere, providing detailed information about interactions at its edge. Recent studies have focused on the enigmatic ribbon of enhanced emissions, which was only detected by IBEX in 2009.
Researchers created a model showing how Mercury's core dynamics contribute to its unusual magnetic field, which is three times stronger in the north than south. This finding indicates that planets have multiple ways of generating a magnetic field.
A researcher from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology has developed a reliable mathematical model of Titan's atmosphere, which matches the latest data surprisingly well. The model takes into account various chemical reactions between neutral molecules and ions in the upper layers of Titan's atmosphere.
Researchers have experimentally re-created conditions deep inside giant planets like Jupiter and Saturn using the National Ignition Facility. They successfully compressed diamond to unprecedented densities, providing new constraints for dense matter theories and planet evolution models.
Researchers found evidence of seasonal cycles on Saturn's moon Titan, with temperature and sunlight driving surface changes. The discovery supports the idea that liquid methane might flow and evaporate in response to changing exposure to sunlight.
Scientists observe a mysterious geologic object on Ligeia Mare, the second-largest sea on Saturn's moon Titan, which may be the first observation of dynamic geological processes. The 'Magic Island' is thought to result from changing seasons and could provide insights into Titan's liquid environments.
A NASA-funded study suggests that cracks on Pluto's moon Charon could reveal a past underground ocean. The analysis finds that a high-eccentricity phase in Charon's orbit may have generated large tides, causing friction and surface fractures. This friction would have also caused the tides to slightly lag behind their orbital positions.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center recreated key flavors from Titan's atmosphere using a recipe approach. The team successfully identified a previously unknown material, which showed strong aromatic characteristics.
University of Leicester researchers captured stunning images of Saturn's auroras, providing evidence for the theory that Saturn's magnetic tail collapse causes auroral displays. The findings support a similar process on Earth.
Scientists studied the persistence of a hexagon-shaped atmospheric phenomenon on Saturn, which remains constant despite large radiative forcing in its atmosphere. The findings suggest that the hexagon is deeply rooted within Saturn's atmosphere and could reveal the planet's internal rotational period.
A recent discovery in Saturn's outer A ring has provided insight into the formation of moons. The 'Peggy' object, a small icy body, may be migrating out of the ring and becoming a new moon.
Researchers studied Saturn's northern polar region and confirmed the hexagon's stability and unchanged jet stream. They suggest it's a manifestation of a Rossby wave similar to those on Earth, with implications for understanding Saturn's atmosphere.
New gravity data reveals an ocean of liquid water beneath 30-40 km of ice at Enceladus' surface, potentially creating conditions for complex chemical reactions. The sub-surface ocean may extend towards the equator in every direction, similar to Europa's ocean.
Astronomers have observed a miniature planet, Chariklo, with two rings of ice and pebbles located between Saturn and Uranus. The discovery was made using a new camera at the Danish telescope in Chile, which revealed two thin rings separated by 14 km.
The asteroid Chariklo is found to have a ring system consisting of two sharply confined rings, separated by a clear gap. The team reconstructed the shape and size of the object itself as well as the properties of the newly discovered rings using observations from multiple sites.
Researchers used a highly accurate simulation model to test a hypothesis about the behavior of hydrogen under extreme conditions. The study found that metallization can only occur at pressures approaching 500 gigapascals, a value that is currently beyond experimental capabilities.
New radar measurements suggest Ligeia Mare on Titan is eerily still, with surface waves smaller than one millimeter. The solid terrain surrounding the sea may be composed of solid organic materials instead of frozen water, similar to Earth's early evolution.
Recent AGU publications explore the surface dynamics of Titan's second-largest lake, Ligeia Mare. Researchers found that the lake's surface is flat, suggesting no waves or wind in the region. Additionally, new research on U-shaped glacial valleys suggests a tectonic stress feedback loop played a crucial role in their formation.
Researchers have found a mysterious 'shepherd' exoplanet in the Beta Pictoris system, which suggests that the system may be capable of supporting life. The planet is believed to be about the size of Saturn and is thought to be responsible for corraling a swarm of icy comets.
Researchers discovered a compact cloud of poisonous gas formed by ongoing collisions among a swarm of icy bodies, suggesting an unseen planet with Saturn-like mass. The study suggests that the comet swarm could be the remnant of a crash between two Mars-sized icy planets or frozen debris trapped by the gravity of the hypothetical planet.
A team of astronomers has successfully mapped the surface features of Luhman 16B, a brown dwarf located six light-years from Earth. The new results reveal dark and light patches on the surface, which can be used to study weather patterns in other solar systems.
A newly discovered celestial object, ROXs 42Bb, located nine times the mass of Jupiter and 30 times further away from its star than Jupiter, defies easy categorization as a planet or brown dwarf. This finding blurs the distinction between planets and brown dwarfs, prompting researchers to re-examine formation theories.
Researchers discovered a temperature turnaround point in the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Titan, which may be common to billions of planets. This phenomenon occurs at a pressure of about 0.1 bar and is likely caused by infrared radiation absorption.
Recent research suggests that the frequency of Earth-like planets in habitable zones around M-dwarfs is 0.4-0.5, requiring surveying about 10 cool stars. A conservative approach would focus on surface water, as subsurface water testing is impossible to verify remotely.
Cassini's Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) detects propylene, a chemical used in food-storage containers and car bumpers, on Titan's lower atmosphere. The detection fills a mysterious gap in Titan observations dating back to NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered that icy comets collide with planets to produce amino acids, essential building blocks of life. The discovery provides another piece to the puzzle of how life was kick-started on Earth and suggests that these building blocks can be assembled anywhere in the Solar System.
Recent research from the Cassini-Huygens mission provides insights into the evolution of life on Earth from Titan, Saturn's moon. The findings shed light on the origin of life and the potential for life beyond Earth, with organic chemicals present on Titan's surface being influenced by sunlight and energy sources.
Scientists have observed water ice and ammonia ice in Saturn's atmosphere for the first time. The new findings suggest that clouds of different chemical compositions can coexist, with water ice making up 22% and ammonia ice 55%.
Researchers found a negative correlation between gravity and topography signals on Titan, attributed to large roots extending into the ocean beneath the ice shell. The study suggests that Titan's ice shell is rigid and at least 40 kilometers thick.
A NASA technologist has developed a fully automated tool, the Evolutionary Mission Trajectory Generator (EMTG), that gives mission planners detailed directions for efficiently steering spacecraft to distant interplanetary destinations. The tool can calculate multiple trajectories in minutes, reducing the time required to design missions.
A Penn State University team wins the US Department of Energy poster competition using only 1000 commonly used words, explaining how energy from sunlight is captured by plants and stored in plant cell walls. The team's creative approach helped them win first prize out of 31 submissions.
Researchers have explained the behavior of Saturn's giant storms for the first time, using computer models and high-resolution images from the Cassini space probe. The storms are characterized by intense winds of up to 500 km/h and a turbulent ring with an enormous surface area.
A new, fast and accurate algorithm developed by Polish researchers can calculate the Chandrasekhar function with accuracy up to over a dozen decimal digits. This method is crucial for understanding physical and chemical properties of materials' surfaces studied under laboratory conditions.
A team led by University of Louisville doctoral student Karen Collins discovered KELT-6b, a hot Saturn-like planet with an orbit that transits its star every 7.8 days, in the constellation Coma Berenices near Leo.
A bacterium discovered in the Canadian High Arctic can survive at –15°C, the coldest temperature ever recorded for bacterial growth. This microbe adapts to extreme conditions by modifying its cell structure and producing molecular antifreeze, providing insights into the possibility of life on Mars.
A University of Iowa undergraduate student has discovered that Saturn's magnetosphere changes with the seasons, helping to clarify the planet's day length. The findings may alter our understanding of the Earth's magnetosphere and Van Allen radiation belts.
New research published in Nature Geoscience reveals how Saturn keeps itself looking young and hot due to gas layers preventing heat from escaping. This unique layering effectively insulates the planet, preventing heat radiating out efficiently.
A new ice cloud has appeared over Titan's south pole, marking the onset of a global air circulation reversal. The cloud is composed of an unknown ice type and appears to be building rapidly, while its northern counterpart is slowly fading.
Researchers discovered that the South pole vortex of Venus is composed of two main cloud layers, with centres of rotation at different altitudes forming a constantly evolving permanent structure. This phenomenon, known as super-rotation, occurs due to the planet's slow rotation speed and fast atmospheric rotation rate.
Theoretical models demonstrate that gas giant planets can survive periodic outbursts of mass transfer from the gas disk onto the young star. These models show that Jupiter and Saturn could have formed through this process, supporting the presence of 20% of sun-like stars with gas giants.
Research using Cassini spacecraft observations reveals that Titan's craters are being filled by exotic sand dunes, suggesting a much older surface. The team compared craters on Titan to those on Ganymede and found that Titan's craters were significantly shallower, indicating erosion from windblown sand.