Articles tagged with Atmosphere
A new study highlights scenarios where a rocky planet around a sun-like star could have oxygen in its atmosphere without life. Astronomers say next-generation telescopes need to characterize planetary environments and detect multiple lines of evidence to distinguish false positives from signs of life.
An international team of scientists has discovered the spectral signatures of almost 1000 atmospheric molecules that could be related to phosphine production. The study provides a novel approach to follow up potential biosignatures and will aid in the detection of life on exoplanets as more powerful telescopes come online.
Scientists from Tohoku University found a decrease in atmospheric radon concentration before the 2018 Northern Osaka Earthquake, contradicting earlier research. This discovery suggests more complex processes are at play before earthquakes and could lead to the development of a radon-based earthquake prediction system.
Researchers have collected and analyzed over 2 decades of micrometeorites from Antarctica, determining a total annual flux of 5,200 tons. Most come from comets (80%), while the rest originate from asteroids.
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.
Space agencies are turning their attention back to Venus, the closest planet to Earth, to learn more about its atmosphere and geology. Recent findings have generated renewed interest, and multiple missions are planned to study Venus' surface and atmospheric chemistry.
A global review of hail trends suggests climate change will lead to increased hailstorm frequency in most regions, particularly Australia, while reducing it in East Asia and North America. Hail severity is expected to increase globally due to warmer temperatures and increased atmospheric instability.
A team of scientists led by NYU's Laure Zanna will leverage AI and machine learning to improve climate simulations, capturing vital atmospheric and oceanic processes like turbulence and clouds. The project aims to deliver more reliable climate projections, informing policymakers and scientists.
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.
The Three Gorges project has affected local climate, with a warmer spring and autumn and drier fall in the region. Climate extremes, such as heat waves and flooding, are linked to larger Yangtze River Basin weather patterns.
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.
Researchers at University of Chicago and Stanford University propose mechanism for formation and retention of water-dominated atmospheres on hot, rocky exoplanets. The model suggests these planets could have a water-rich atmosphere for long stretches, with some potentially keeping it for billions of years.
Researchers challenge prevailing views that warmer climate means more dry land by developing a new metric of drylands based on land surface properties. The study found that climate models don't project a dramatic and rapid global expansion of drylands, but still struggle with uncertainty about future land changes.
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.
Fog-haze events over the North China Plain were caused by meteorological conditions, not emission reductions during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study found that higher temperatures and relative humidity accelerated secondary aerosol formation, while low wind speeds inhibited pollutant diffusion.
New modeling experiments predict that reducing air pollution, such as sulfate aerosols, will increase surface air temperature at current and increased carbon dioxide levels. The loss of a cooling effect caused by the light-scattering particles accelerates global warming without simultaneous reductions in greenhouse gas production.
Research from the University of Minnesota finds that atmospheric drying significantly reduces crop productivity even under well-watered conditions. Plants respond by growing smaller and more resistant to drought, but this also leads to decreased productivity in photosynthesis and seed production.
Scientists have discovered a super-Earth called Gliese 486b orbiting a nearby red dwarf star. The planet's composition is similar to that of Venus or Earth, with metallic nuclei inside it. Its atmosphere may be thin and hot, making it an ideal candidate for studying planetary atmospheres.
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.
Scientists have analyzed radon concentration data before and after the 1995 Kobe Earthquake to better understand the relationship between radon changes and earthquake occurrence. The study suggests that periodic loading on the earth's crust due to tides may trigger changes in radon concentration.
Tyler Robinson, a Northern Arizona University astronomer, has been recognized as a 2021 Cottrell Scholar for his outstanding academic leadership and research quality. He will receive a three-year $100,000 grant to advance his teaching and research, focusing on exoplanet atmospheres and undergraduate education.
New research from Carnegie Mellon University reveals that wildfires can lead to more extensive cloud formation and intense storm development due to the chemical aging of particles emitted by these fires. This study's findings have significant implications for accurately modeling Earth's climate and how it may change in the future.
The study revealed that ultrafine particles smaller than 100 nm in diameter play a significant role in haze formation, visibility, and air pollution. The researchers suggest controlling precursor vapors to alleviate the problem.
Researchers analyzed temperatures from Dec. 1, 2020, to mid-January 2021, finding that warming in the Arctic and cooling in the tropical Pacific contributed to record-breaking low temperatures across 58 cities in China. The synergistic effect intensified cold air intrusions into mid-high latitudes, influencing extreme cold conditions.
A recent study found that human activities, particularly air pollution, are the primary cause of fluctuations in global dimming and brightening. Surface solar radiation increased after economic collapse and improved air quality regulations, suggesting a link between human-induced aerosols and climate changes.
Scientists have successfully grown cyanobacteria using Martian gases and regolith, a breakthrough that could make long-term missions to Mars sustainable. This discovery uses Anabaena cyanobacteria as a model organism, demonstrating their ability to thrive in low-pressure environments.
CRIRES+ is a high-resolution infrared spectrograph designed to study planets outside our solar system. It detects super-Earths, planets in the habitable zone around their star, and analyzes their atmospheres during transits.
Researchers use the Z machine to apply extreme gravitational pressures on super-Earths, determining which might support life. A data-supported table reveals when a planet's interior would be solid, liquid or gaseous under various pressures and temperatures.
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.
The study reveals that methane emissions from human activities, particularly oil and gas sectors, coal mining, and ruminant farming, have led to its long-term growth. The findings highlight the need for targeted emission reduction strategies in these key sectors to mitigate climate change.
Scientists from the University of Helsinki investigated atmospheric particle formation in the Arctic, discovering how Arctic warming and sea ice loss strengthen processes that emit different vapors to the atmosphere. This study provides crucial insights into the consequences of global warming.
Oregon State University has received a nearly $700,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide software tools for investors interested in starting aquaculture businesses in Oregon. The new funding will help advance the rate of aquaculture investment in the state and serve as a model for other states.
Researchers link magnetic waves in chromosphere to areas of abundant ionised particles in hot outer atmosphere, explaining the Sun's unique chemical make-up. The discovery provides a foundation for understanding the solar wind and its impact on Earth.
Researchers found that tiny aerosol particles form out of next to nothingness over the open ocean when sunlight reacts with molecules of trace gases. These newly formed particles then grow to attract water vapor, forming clouds that reflect or absorb sunlight, affecting Earth's temperature.
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 developed theoretical models to predict clathrate hydrates outside Earth, revealing contrast in stable water forms on celestial bodies. Clathrate hydrates play a crucial role in preserving atmospheric volatile gases, storing them slowly over geological timescales.
A University of Arizona-led research team discovered bands and stripes on the closest brown dwarf to Earth, hinting at processes churning its atmosphere. The findings reveal high-speed winds running parallel to equators, mixing atmospheres and redistributing heat.
A new study predicts that global warming will lead to fewer but more intense tropical cyclones, particularly category 3 or higher events, due to increased humidity and energy levels. The research used high-resolution supercomputer simulations to model the interaction between ocean heat content and tropical cyclones.
Cristiana Stan, a George Mason University researcher, has received $195,313 from NOAA to develop a coupled ensemble weather prediction system. The system aims to improve medium-range and subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasts by refining stochastic parameterizations and improving model coupling.
A new study reveals that polar climate variations can impact tropical trade winds via atmospheric and oceanic pathways. The research demonstrates that anomalous cooling in either hemisphere leads to a strengthening of the tropical trade winds.
The Red Sea climate modeling system provides high-resolution analyses of the region's oceanic and atmospheric processes, revealing connections with global climate patterns. The system helps predict extreme events like oil spills and informs environmental policymaking, renewable energy projects, and flood protection.
Researchers found that Martian water vapor is transported to high altitudes during warmer seasons, where it's easily destroyed by electrically charged gas particles. The phenomenon contributes to Mars' loss of a global ocean of water over billions of years.
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.
Scientists found that repeated strong atmospheric rivers played a crucial role in forming massive holes in sea ice. These holes can influence regional and global ocean circulation, affecting phytoplankton blooms and contributing to global sea-level rise.
Scientists propose genetically engineered organisms to remove CO2 from the atmosphere irreversibly. Bioengineered plants can be designed to increase crop productivity, fix nitrogen, and process energy more efficiently.
The study predicts extreme weather conditions on K2-141b, including supersonic winds and rocky rains, which can be detected from hundreds of light years away with next-generation telescopes. The team also found that two-thirds of the exoplanet faces perpetual daylight, leading to frigid temperatures on the night side.
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.
A comprehensive study by KIT and Auburn University finds that agricultural production is a major source of global nitrous oxide emissions, which contribute significantly to climate change. The study suggests that increasing food demand may further exacerbate the problem, highlighting the need for efficient nitrogen use in agriculture.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered how volcanoes experience stress, which can lead to collapse and eruptions. By studying a dormant volcano on La Palma, the team found that repeated movement of magma inside the volcano causes it to become 'stressed' and potentially unstable.
A study published in Nature Communications found that climate models differ largely because of varying projections regarding polar ice loss and atmospheric water vapor. Climate scientists are working to improve the accuracy of their models by reconciling these discrepancies.
A new study proposes that pieces of Venus could have crashed on the moon, providing a possible solution for testing Earth-like environment theories. Ancient rocks from Venus are thought to contain valuable information about the planet's history and its interactions with asteroids and comets.
Researchers Jeremy Bloxham and Rakesh K. Yadav use a 3D simulation model to understand the formation of Saturn's massive hexagon storm, which has remained relatively unchanged for nearly 40 years. The study suggests that deep thermal convection plays a key role in creating the unique shape and persistence of the storm.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have developed a machine learning-based framework to improve estimates of air-sea heat exchange in the Arctic Ocean. The project leverages remote sensing technologies and data from sensors, saildrone USVs, and satellites to validate satellite-based modeling of the Arctic region.
Researchers found that recurrent ice discharges from the Cordilleran ice sheet in the North Pacific contributed to global climate disturbances, including changes in deep ocean circulation and retreat of ice sheets in the North Atlantic. The study challenges theories that these events originated in the North Atlantic.
Researchers found evidence of widespread forest fires during the Cretaceous period, burning up to 40% of global forests, even in wet regions. This discovery sheds light on how Earth's history might behave under future global climate change.
As the atmosphere warms, ocean stability increases, leading to reduced carbon burial and decreased productivity. Cooler water layers not mixing due to stable conditions prevents oxygen and nutrient delivery.