A recent study found that wide binary stars in planetary systems can lead to dramatic events over time. In one hypothetical system, at least one of four giant planets was ejected in almost half of the simulations. The researchers also discovered substantial evidence that this process occurs regularly in known extrasolar planetary systems.
Astronomers using ALMA have observed the first direct evidence of vast gas streams flowing across a gap in a young star's disc, thought to be created by giant planets guzzling gas as they grow. The discovery provides insight into planet formation theories.
A new analysis of Titan's topography and gravity data reveals the moon's icy outer crust is significantly thicker than previously estimated. This finding has significant implications for understanding Titan's ocean and internal structure.
Scientists have observed a significant increase in exotic trace gases over Titan's south pole during the autumnal season. This change is attributed to the reversal of the planet's atmospheric circulation cell direction, which extends to altitudes above 450 km.
Data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show a shift in seasonal sunlight causing a sudden change in atmospheric circulation on Saturn's moon Titan. This unexpected turn reveals the key factor in Titan's atmosphere circulation is the slant of light, which led to sinking air at altitudes previously thought to be upwelling.
Researchers develop a sediment budget for an alpine cirque in British Columbia, Canada, revealing glacial retreat rates of 0.5-0.9 mm per year. In Tibet, new data supports a model of rift evolution involving upper crustal thinning and isostatic rebound.
Scientists have spotted a second Pac-Man thermal shape on Tethys, confirming that high-energy electrons can dramatically alter an icy moon's surface. The discovery suggests a more complex and varied process in the Saturn system.
The Cassini mission has discovered a second feature shaped like the video game icon PAC-MAN on Saturn's moon Tethys. This finding confirms that high-energy electrons can dramatically alter icy satellite surfaces, and suggests that such anomalies may be widespread in the Saturn system.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center detected a massive release of ethylene gas during a rare storm on Saturn, with temperatures soaring 150 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. The storm was observed using Cassini's composite infrared spectrometer and revealed unprecedented disturbances in the planet's upper atmosphere.
Scientists have discovered a giant oval vortex on Saturn persisting long after the visible effects of the 'Great Springtime Storm' subsided. The vortex is characterized by high temperatures and unique chemistry, unlike Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot.
A new model proposes that the Saturn system originated from giant impacts in which several major satellites merged to form Titan, resulting in the formation of Saturn's middle-sized moons. The model suggests these moons were formed from ice-rich material similar to Titan's mantle and have active geology and dynamics.
Researchers Padma Kant Shukla and Bengt Eliasson develop a unified theory explaining nonlinear dust acoustic shocks and solitary pulses in dusty plasmas. Laboratory experiments reveal large amplitude dust acoustic solitary pulses and shock waves, which their model successfully explains.
The probe dug a 12 cm deep hole before bouncing out onto a flat surface, sliding 30 cm across the surface due to friction. The probe wobbled back and forth five times before coming to rest, suggesting the surface was soft enough to make a hole but hard enough to support wobbling
Scientists studying giant ice avalanches on Iapetus have found that the coefficient of friction is lower than expected, suggesting a new mechanism for reducing friction during landslides. The findings challenge existing theories and provide insights into the mobility of icy moons in the solar system.
Researchers analyzed images of Titan's river networks, finding that they resemble early stages of terrestrial rivers' evolution. In some regions, rivers have caused little erosion, raising questions about Titan's geologic past and potential processes such as tectonic upheaval and icy lava eruptions.
Astronomers have discovered an extraordinary amount of dust around a nearby star that has mysteriously disappeared. The dusty disc was bigger and more massive than Saturn's rings and would have extended from the sun halfway out to Earth if it were in our solar system.
A new study using Cassini images shows that turbulent jet streams on Saturn are powered by internal heat from the planet. The condensation of water vapor in mid-latitudes creates temperature differences, leading to eddies that accelerate the jets like rotating gears.
New research reveals small planets can form around stars with low heavy element content, challenging previous assumptions. This discovery suggests Earth-like planets may be widespread in the universe, contradicting earlier theories on planetary formation requirements.
A team of scientists has discovered an unseen planet orbiting a Sun-like star,KOI-872, by analyzing transit variations caused by the hidden object's gravity. The planet is estimated to be about the mass of Saturn and orbits its host star every 57 days.
Research from NASA-funded scientists uses data from Cassini and Huygens spacecraft to estimate how long Titan's methane factory has been operating, with estimated ages ranging from 10 million to 1.6 billion years. The study provides new perspectives on the history of Titan's atmosphere.
Scientists have discovered strange half-mile-sized objects leaving glittering trails behind them as they punch through parts of Saturn's F ring. These 'mini-jets' fill in a missing link in our understanding of the curious behavior of the F ring, showing that smaller snowballs can survive and strike through the ring on their own.
Researchers detect faint, short-lived glowing dots on Uranus' dayside using Hubble Space Telescope. The unusual appearance of the auroras is attributed to Uranus' rotational weirdness and magnetic field's peculiar traits.
The ALMA observatory has discovered a nearby planetary system with sharp-edged dust ring, indicating 'shepherding' planets that keep the disk within their gravitational effect. The planets are smaller than previously thought, about the size of Mars to a few times the Earth, and are among the coldest planets found orbiting a normal star.
Astronomers at the University of Florida have discovered two low-mass planets orbiting the nearby star Fomalhaut. Using ALMA's superior resolution and sensitivity, they found that the ring of dust surrounding the star is shaped by two planets working together to maintain its narrow width.
Computer simulations reveal that giant gas planets prefer certain orbits over others, resulting in 'planet pile-ups' and 'planet deserts'. High-energy radiation from baby stars carves gaps in protoplanetary disks, corralling planets into specific orbits.
A new study reveals that the Earth's early atmosphere periodically transitioned between a hydrocarbon-rich state and a haze-free environment due to microbial activity. This 'see-sawing' phenomenon had a profound impact on the climate system, with evidence suggesting a significant role in regulating atmospheric oxygen levels.
Scientists have discovered molecular oxygen ions in the upper atmosphere of Saturn's moon Dione, which could be a crucial ingredient for life. The detection was made possible by instruments aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft and suggests that icy moons like Europa may produce oxygen through sputtering processes.
Tidal marshlands are critical habitats that provide a buffer against storm surges and protect coastal ecosystems. However, global climate change threatens their stability, particularly if large-scale plant die-offs occur. Researchers have found that removing vegetation can lead to increased water flow rates, sediment infilling, and red...
A new study published in GSA BULLETIN suggests that linear dunes may have formed through erosion rather than deposition. The research found evidence of erosional origin similar to yardangs in China's Qaidam Basin, which could provide insights into the formation of linear dunes on other planets, such as Saturn's moon Titan.
Dr. F. Michael Flasar, Dr. Anthony D. Del Genio and Dr. James Slavin recognized for their outstanding contributions to Earth and space sciences. Flasar's work on planetary atmospheres, including Titan's unique atmosphere, was highlighted as fundamental to understanding climate physics.
A recent study found that a large fraction of planets have orbital distances between 0.5 and 10 sun-Earth distances, challenging the previous assumption that most extrasolar planets were gas giants closer to their stars.
A team of astrophysicists discovered a ring system in the constellation Centaurus that is similar to Saturn's. The system consists of four thin rings of dust debris, with each ring having a mass similar to Earth's moon, and orbits tens of millions of kilometers from the central star.
Scientists have discovered two new circumbinary planets, Kepler-34b and Kepler-35b, orbiting two stars in the constellation Cygnus. The discovery suggests that planets with two suns are common, potentially existing in millions in the Galaxy. This finding sheds light on the formation of these unique planetary systems.
Most of the Milky Way's 100 billion stars have planets similar to Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. The research found an average of 1.6 planets in the habitable zone around each star.
Two new transiting circumbinary planet systems have been discovered using data from NASA's Kepler Mission. The planets, Kepler-34 b and Kepler-35 b, orbit two stars in the constellation Cygnus, with climates that could experience dramatic temperature changes due to the variable distance between the planet and its stars.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology developed a computer model that explains the distribution of clouds, lakes, and rainstorms on Titan. The model attributes these phenomena to the interaction between sunlight, atmospheric circulation, and methane reservoirs on the surface.
Research papers published in AGU journals explore the impact of a Saturn moon on its magnetosphere, as well as a new way to measure Earth's magnetosphere. Scientists also discover that Loch Ness in Scotland is affected by ocean tidal loading, which controls the loch's tide.
Researchers have discovered two planets that survived being engulfed by their parent star, shedding new light on stellar and planetary systems. The discovery may also offer insights into the possible future of our own solar system.
Voyager 1 has sailed to the edge of the solar system and is expected to punch its way into interstellar space in the coming months or years. The spacecraft was launched in 1977 and completed the Grand Tour of the Solar System, making numerous groundbreaking discoveries about the outer planets and their moons.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University re-created the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus to study the presence of lightning sprites. The research aims to understand electrical and chemical processes on other planets, potentially indicating the presence of extraterrestrial life.
A Cleveland Clinic study reveals that maximum doses of Crestor and Lipitor are equally effective in reversing atherosclerosis after 24 months of treatment. The trial showed no significant differences between the two drugs in reducing plaque burden, but rosuvastatin was found to lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL levels.
A recent study found that a gene influencing empathy and sociability can be detected in strangers, who rated individuals with a particular genetic variation as more caring and trustworthy. The oxytocin receptor gene was linked to prosocial behavior, with those carrying the GG genotype exhibiting higher levels of kindness and trust.
Researchers have achieved a record pressure of 50 megabars in a diamond experiment at the National Ignition Facility, replicating conditions believed to exist in super-Earths. The use of ramp-compression technique allowed for higher pressures than standard near-instantaneous shock-physics experiments.
Astronomers detect a double sunset on the newly discovered Kepler-16b, a planet similar to Saturn in size and mass. The planet orbits two smaller, cooler stars and is estimated to be around -100°C due to its distance from its parent bodies.
NASA has awarded a $100,000 grant to Penn State researcher Michael V. Paul for developing non-radioisotope power systems. The project aims to explore sunless solar system missions using metal-combustion engines, which could enable low-cost planetary exploration without relying on radioisotope power sources.
The Saturn and HERMES III accelerators have surpassed significant milestones in testing nuclear defenses against atomic weapons. The machines have achieved over 4,000 shots on the Saturn accelerator and 9,000 shots on the HERMES III accelerator, providing valuable data for countermeasures against X-ray radiation.
Researchers used a global circulation model to demonstrate how atmospheric waves affect Titan's weather patterns, leading to sharp and surprising cloud shapes. The study reveals that these waves can cause intense precipitation, shaping Titan's surface through erosion.
A University of Arizona planetary scientist has determined Neptune's rotation with high accuracy by tracking atmospheric features in its atmosphere. The discovery improves upon previous measurements and provides a better understanding of the planet's fundamental properties.
The Cassini mission has found evidence of large-scale saltwater reservoirs beneath Enceladus' icy crust, suggesting a possible subsurface ocean. The data reveal that most of the ejected solids are salt-rich grains, which are thought to originate from liquid saltwater rather than surface ice.
A new study led by the University of Heidelberg and involving the University of Colorado Boulder has found strong evidence for a large-scale, subterranean saltwater ocean on Enceladus. The research suggests that the plumes shooting water vapor and ice particles into space originate from an ocean beneath the icy surface of the moon.
A University at Buffalo team proposes using sodium to convert hydrogen into a superconducting metal, which could improve power transmission efficiency. The researchers used an open-source computer program to find suitable sodium polyhydrides that become metallic at lower pressures than previously thought.
Scientists have discovered 'surfer' waves in the sun's corona, which could help explain why it's thousands of times hotter than expected. The waves were captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory and are thought to be caused by Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities.
Jupiter's Grand Tack model reveals the planet's youthful travels profoundly impacted the solar system. The giant planet's migration toward and away from the sun altered the nature of the asteroid belt, making Mars smaller than expected. The new model suggests Jupiter perturbed objects in the asteroid belt instead of destroying it.
Researchers propose a new theory on Mars' small size and low mass, suggesting that Jupiter's early gas-driven migration stripped the region of formation materials. The 'Grand Tack Scenario' simulation explains properties of the asteroid belt and its compositional differences between inner- and outer-belt bodies.
A recent study using data collected between 2006 and 2007 found evidence for 10 free-floating planets roughly the mass of Jupiter, suggesting they are common. The discovery supports the 'ejection' scenario where planets are kicked out from their solar systems due to close gravitational encounters with other planets or stars.
Researchers tracked a massive storm in Saturn's northern hemisphere, which rapidly expanded into a giant thunderstorm. The storm produced dark vortices and disrupted the atmosphere, transporting energy and material over great distances.
Bennett's team found 10 free-floating planets roughly the mass of Jupiter, suggesting planetary systems often become unstable, ejecting planets from their orbits. The discovery confirms that free-floating planets exist and are quite common, estimated to be twice as many as stars.
Physicists have found that supersolid helium has liquid-like characteristics, contradicting previous assumptions of a solid state. The researchers attribute this behavior to moving defects in the crystal structure, which relax at higher temperatures.
Scientists at Indiana University will study methane production in Arctic environments to help NASA detect carbon-based life on Mars and other celestial bodies. The three-year project aims to understand the conditions that support life on Earth and how they compare to those found elsewhere in the solar system.
Researchers at University College London have discovered powerful electron beams flowing back and forth between Saturn and its moon Enceladus, a finding that suggests a universal process similar to Jupiter's moon Io. This discovery was made using the Cassini spacecraft and its CAPS-ELS instrument.