Articles tagged with Earths Moon
New research from Brown University suggests that lunar volcano Ina is actually around 3.5 billion years old, not within the past 100 million years as previously thought. The feature's youthful appearance was attributed to its porous surface, created by magmatic foam, which hides regolith buildup and skews crater counts.
A group of scientists led by Kirby Runyon argue for a definition of 'planet' that focuses on the body's intrinsic qualities, such as mass and gravitational shape. This new definition would expand the number of planets in our solar system to approximately 110, including Pluto.
Researchers observed 'traffic jams' in the Rutford Ice Stream in Antarctica, where ocean tides speed up or slow down glacial movement. The study used COSMO-SkyMed radar-imaging satellites to gather near-continuous data for nearly nine months.
A new theory proposes a single high-energy collision as the origin of the Moon's formation, explaining its unusual composition and orbit. The alternative model suggests that the Moon condensed from the same material as Earth, resulting in their similar chemical makeup.
A new research paper suggests that the impact that formed the moon also caused calamitous changes to Earth's rotation and tilt. The model indicates that the remaining anomalies in the moon's orbit are relics of the Earth-moon system's explosive past, with a large tilt of up to 80 degrees.
A recent study using precise potassium isotopic data confirms the Moon was formed from a violent impact that vaporized Earth's mantle and mixed it with the impactor. This challenges the giant impact hypothesis, which had trouble matching geochemical signatures between Earth and Moon.
A study by University of Tokyo researchers found a statistically significant increase in cow births during near full and full moon phases. The study suggests that cows may be a suitable model for studying the lunar cycle's impact on animal births, with further research needed to confirm results.
A new study by Florida State University researcher Michael Delp suggests that Apollo astronauts are experiencing higher rates of cardiovascular problems, likely caused by their exposure to deep space radiation. The study found that 43% of deceased Apollo astronauts died from a cardiovascular problem, four to five times higher than non-...
A NASA camera aboard the DSCOVR satellite captured a view of the moon as it moved in front of the sunlit side of Earth for the second time in a year. The images were taken using NASA's Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) and show the moon crossing over the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Researchers studied 5812 children from five continents to determine if lunar phases affect sleep duration, with a significant 1% decrease in full moon nights. The study found no substantial impact on behavior, contrary to folklore and myths.
New University of Washington research shows that the lunar forces affect the amount of rain on Earth, though very slightly, with a change of about 1 percent of total rainfall variation. The effect is due to the moon's gravitational tug causing higher air pressure and increasing temperature, making it less favorable for precipitation.
Researchers use oxygen isotope analysis to confirm Earth and moon had similar chemical composition after collision, suggesting a head-on impact. The study also suggests the early Earth may have lost water due to subsequent asteroid collisions.
Dr. William Bottke will present on a relatively tranquil time between two violent bombardment phases in the early solar system, exploring evidence from various sources including planet formation models and ancient samples.
Lunar rocks are depleted in volatile elements like potassium, sodium, and zinc. The Moon formed from an Earth-orbiting disk of vapor and molten matter, with the inner disk melt being preferentially deposited onto the Earth rather than the growing Moon.
Researchers cast doubt on lunar impact date methods by analyzing meteorite-impact zircons, suggesting contextual information loss upon separation from host rocks. This may affect our understanding of the late heavy bombardment on the young Moon, which could influence life's emergence timeline.
The analysis reveals that modern oceans have a unique and unparalleled biodiversity, with numerous species coexisting due to the fossil record's large Internet database. Human impacts on the environment could lead to a decline in biodiversity.
The Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled a small section of the expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago. The Veil Nebula, covering six full moons on the sky, is composed of wisps of gas that were once a star 20 times more massive than our sun.
Scientists at NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) have captured the rare alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth. During this event, a partial solar eclipse was visible from parts of Africa and Antarctica, providing a unique opportunity to study the effects of these celestial alignments.
A new laser ablation resonance ionization mass spectrometry technique has successfully dated an Earth rock analogous to the rocks covering one-third of the Moon's nearside. This breakthrough enables direct dating of lunar terrains, filling a critical gap in understanding the Solar System's history.
Researchers found that Titan's atmosphere loses hydrocarbons and nitriles due to a polar wind powered by sunlight and the Saturnian magnetic field. This phenomenon has been observed on Earth in polar regions, suggesting Titan may have a similarly widespread 'polar wind' beyond its poles.
The CODEX device will allow unmanned rovers to determine the age of rocks on the Moon and Mars by analyzing radioactive elements. This technology has major implications for understanding the history of the inner solar system, including the duration of bombardment and volcanism.
Scientists have found a record of the ancient Moon-forming giant impact observable in stony meteorites. The team used data analysis and numerical modeling work to infer the Moon formed about 4.47 billion years ago.
Researchers at University of Maryland generate new isotopic fingerprint of the moon, reconciling accepted model with surprisingly similar Earth and moon fingerprints. The findings suggest a thorough mixing of debris before forming the moon, supporting an explosive and interconnected past.
A UCLA professor of planetary astronomy confirms that the timing of human births and hospital admissions is not influenced by the lunar cycle. The study highlights the persistence of flawed beliefs despite evidence, attributed to confirmation bias, and societal costs including measles outbreaks.
Scientists created a global geologic and tectonic map of asteroid Vesta, revealing a history of large impacts from massive meteorites. The oldest surviving crust predates the largest impact event, the Veneneia impact, which occurred around 2.1 billion years ago.
Researchers identify jarosite minerals in Ius Chasma canyon wall, suggesting atmospheric sulfur trapped in ice formed glaciers. The discovery provides evidence of past glaciation in the Valles Marineris on Mars.
Researchers studied astronauts' movements in low gravity and found that they could maintain higher speeds while walking on the moon. The team used NASA's DC-9 aircraft to simulate lunar gravity and tested the speed at which walkers transitioned from a walk to a run, discovering an average speed of 1.4m/s, exceeding previous estimates.
A Swedish study found that the full moon affects sleep patterns, with subjects averaging 20 minutes less sleep and more trouble falling asleep during this phase. However, other research has yielded mixed results, with some studies showing no correlation between lunar phases and human sleep.
Despite popular beliefs, a recent Max Planck Institute study of 1,265 volunteers found no correlation between human sleep and lunar phases. The researchers discovered conflicting results may be due to publication bias, which can lead to omitted negative findings.
Astrophysicists at Penn State University have solved the Lunar Farside Highlands Problem, a long-standing mystery about the absence of maria on the far side of the moon. The researchers found that the difference in crustal thickness between the near and far sides is due to the moon's original formation process.
Researchers have found elevated levels of oxygen-17 in lunar samples compared to Earth, providing evidence for a giant impact hypothesis. The findings suggest that the Moon formed from debris left over after a massive collision between two proto-planets.
Researchers analyzed angler catch records for evidence of a lunar cycle's effect on muskie behavior. They found that muskellunge are caught consistently more around the full and new moon phases, with anglers catching 5% more fish during peak lunar days.
New analysis of Moon rocks indicates regional variations in water content, providing insights into lunar formation and crust cooling processes. The study suggests that the Moon's water may have originated from both Earth and comets/asteroids, with implications for understanding the source of Earth's water.
A team of MIT researchers has successfully demonstrated a broadband wireless connection to the moon using a laser-based communication system, transmitting data at a rate of 622 megabits per second. The system, which uses multiple telescopes and amplification techniques to overcome atmospheric challenges, has the potential to enable lar...
Researchers found that apatite, a commonly used method for estimating lunar water content, may not be reliable due to its hydrogen-rich crystals forming from cooling magma. The discovery has significant implications for understanding the moon's formation and evolution.
NASA has released an interactive mosaic of the lunar north pole, created from 10,581 high-resolution images taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The mosaic provides detailed textures and subtle shading of the lunar terrain, making it a valuable resource for scientists and the public.
This article covers various geology topics including Mars exploration, environmental lead poisoning, earthquake hazards, the Indus Civilization collapse due to aridification event, end-Cretaceous mass extinction analysis using clumped isotope paleothermometry, and geological events such as the Tibetan Plateau's reorganization.
The LLCD mission demonstrated error-free communications during broad daylight, operating as well as any NASA radio system. It also showed that wind and atmospheric turbulence did not significantly impact the system, enabling reliable communications through thin clouds.
The HyperSpectral Imager for Climate Science (HySICS) has made its inaugural engineering balloon flight, collecting radiance data for nearly half of its eight and a half hour flight. This technology advance enables climate predictions and trends to be seen with higher accuracy using shorter duration data sets.
LLCD successfully transmitted data from lunar orbit to Earth at a rate of 622 Mbps, more than six times faster than previous radio systems flown to the moon. The demonstration validated laser communication technology for future space missions.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) has updated the coordinates of historic robotic spacecraft on the Moon, providing valuable information for planning future lunar missions. These updates will aid in the creation of an accurate lunar cartographic network, essential for human and robotic exploration.
The LLCD experiment aims to validate and build confidence in laser communications, allowing for 3-D High Definition video transmissions in deep space. The technology has incredible application possibilities, enabling the transmission of hundreds of millions of bits of data per second from the moon to Earth.
The TESS mission will map the locations of over 500 transiting exoplanets, including small planets around bright stars. This is the first time NASA has studied a large number of small planets with advanced instruments.
A recent study published in Current Biology found that lunar cycles affect human sleep quality. The research revealed a significant drop in brain activity related to deep sleep around full moon, with participants also reporting poorer sleep quality and lower melatonin levels.
Research suggests that humans still respond to lunar cycles, influencing sleep patterns even when unaware of the moon phase. Studies show decreased deep sleep, slower sleep onset, and lower melatonin levels around full moon.
A recent study at Rhode Island Hospital found that acute aortic dissection repair performed in the waning full moon reduces the odds of death, while full moon cycles are associated with shorter length of stay. The study's findings suggest that lunar cycles may play a role in cardiac patient outcomes.
Scientists have concluded that the oldest visible terrains on Mercury date back to 4 billion to 4.1 billion years ago, with volcanic activity resurfacing the planet's surface during this time period. The findings suggest a global resurfacing event due to volcanism and may indicate that large projectiles enhanced the observed resurfacing.
Researchers studied how speakers from central Ohio pronounce 'for' and 'for a,' finding that Neil Armstrong's quote is highly compatible with either interpretation. The study sheds light on understanding how people perceive meaning in spoken language.
Scientists discover that water on the Moon's mantle originated from primitive meteorites, not comets, raising questions about the formation of the Moon. The findings also suggest that most of the water on Earth comes from the same source.
Researchers found that water on the moon and Earth came from small meteorites called carbonaceous chondrites in the first 100 million years after the solar system formed. The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen in the moon's water matches that found in chondrites, suggesting a common source.
Scientists found that the Moon's water originated from the Earth, suggesting the proto-Earth was already wet at the time of the Giant Impact. The study used hydrogen isotopes to determine the origin of water in the Moon and matched it with carbonaceous chondrites on Earth.
The ChemCam system has fired more than 40,000 laser pulses at over a thousand locations on Mars, yielding valuable information about the planet's habitat. Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory and other institutions will present their findings at the 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
Astronomers have measured the spin rate of a supermassive black hole, providing insights into the galaxy's evolution. The black hole's spin is linked to its accretion disk and can offer clues about the galaxy's past.
Researchers have discovered significant amounts of water in Apollo samples, indicating the early Moon was wet and the water wasn't substantially lost during formation. The detection of hydroxyl groups suggests a prolonged solidification of the lunar magma ocean.
The Journal of Geophysical Research Planets special edition features 35 LRO papers highlighting discoveries on ancient impacts, global structures, and subsurface hydrogen deposits.
The European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC) has released its position statement on the ESA council meeting at ministerial level, commenting on the impact of decisions taken. The ESSC recommends prioritizing scientific return in the Science Programme and reiterates its support for European involvement in the Global Exploration Strategy.
Scientists with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) successfully transmitted an image of the Mona Lisa to the spacecraft from Earth using laser pulses. The team achieved simultaneous laser communication and tracking, paving the way for future high-speed data transfer at planetary distances.
Researchers at Washington State University have successfully printed parts using materials from the moon, marking a significant breakthrough in additive manufacturing. The team used 3D printing technology to create simple shapes from lunar regolith simulant, which they plan to tailor for stronger building materials and remote repairs.
Researchers at Université Laval conducted a study examining the relationship between moon phases and psychological problems. They found no connection between the two, contradicting widespread beliefs. Anxiety disorders were slightly less frequent during the last lunar quarter, but this could be due to other factors.
Scientists discover evidence that Moon was born in a catastrophic collision with early Earth, releasing vaporized rock that condensed into the Moon. The discovery provides physical evidence for the Giant Impact Theory and sheds light on the Moon's composition.