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New method sharpens the search for alien biology

Researchers found amino acids are consistently more diverse and evenly distributed in biological samples than abiotic ones, while fatty acids show the opposite pattern. This fundamental principle of life may be detectable in data collected by space missions.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 11, 2026

SwRI-led Webb Telescope survey discovers new moon orbiting Uranus

A previously unknown tiny moon has been discovered orbiting Uranus, bringing the planet's total moon count to 29. The small object, designated S/2025 U 1, is estimated to be around six miles in diameter and was detected using the Near-Infrared Camera on the James Webb Space Telescope.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·DateAug 19, 2025
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Uranus’s swaying moons will help spacecraft seek out hidden oceans

Researchers at UTIG develop a computer model to detect oceans in Uranus' moons by analyzing small oscillations in their spin. The technique could reveal liquid water worlds throughout the galaxy, potentially harboring life.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 25, 2024

SwRI researcher shows how elliptical craters could shed light on age of Saturn’s moons

A SwRI study examines elliptical craters on Saturn's moons Tethys and Dione, finding unique patterns that indicate the satellites' age and formation conditions. The research suggests a planetocentric impactor population, pointing to the importance of considering gravity-driven impacts when studying object ages.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJun 21, 2022

Mysteries of Uranus' oddities explained by Japanese astronomers

A team led by Professor Shigeru Ida from Tokyo Institute of Technology suggests that Uranus was struck by a small icy planet, which tipped the young planet over and left behind its unique moon system. This model reproduces the current configuration of Uranus' satellites and may help explain other icy planets' configurations.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 6, 2020