Research on Earth's systems and resources. Covers green energy, ocean oxygen and metal deposits, lunar exploration, and geothermal power.
A new study suggests that lightning strikes provided sparks of life for early Earth, unlocking phosphorus to create biomolecules. The researchers estimated that 0.1 to 1 quintillion lightning strikes occurred over a billion years, providing usable phosphorus.
A new study tracks the life cycle of Jupiter's auroras, which evolve in a pattern reminiscent of Earth's auroral substorms. The storms emit hundreds of Gigawatts of ultraviolet light as they rotate from night side to day side.
A high-velocity atmospheric wave was generated by Beirut's 2020 ammonium nitrate explosion, rivalling those from volcanic eruptions. The blast caused electron disturbances in Earth's upper atmosphere, including changes in total electron content in the ionosphere.
Researchers suggest that worlds with interior water ocean worlds (IWOWs) are more habitable due to protection by layers of ice and rock, shielding life against threats. This concept expands the search for life beyond Earth-like planets.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have established that lightning strikes played a vital role in creating conditions for life to emerge on early Earth. The team discovered large amounts of phosphorous minerals, essential for life, in fulgurite formed by lightning strikes.
A study published in Science Advances has found rare evidence of the Earth's early magma ocean preserved in ancient rocks from southwestern Greenland. The discovery provides a window into the planet's solidification and internal chemistry, suggesting that other rocks may also preserve signs of ancient magma oceans.
Researchers detect HCCP and CH2=C=PH, unusual phosphorus-containing molecules in interstellar clouds. The discovery paves the way for studying their properties and potential extraterrestrial detections, advancing our knowledge of astrochemistry.
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.
Researchers at FAU have discovered a way to find previously unknown deposits of rare earths worldwide using fayalite crystals in sediment of granite-like magma. This discovery is crucial for addressing the scarcity of heavy rare earth elements on the global market.
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.
Researchers found that weathering rates and atmospheric composition are crucial for a planet's habitability. Geochemistry plays a key role in determining the balance between radiation and liquid water, with extreme temperatures potentially altering this balance.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have successfully measured the smallest gravitational force yet by using a ladybug-sized mass. The team, led by Markus Aspelmeyer and Tobias Westphal, has picked up on an idea from Henry Cavendish's 18th-century experiment to measure gravitational forces with increasing accuracy.
Scientists confirm detection of high-energy antineutrino event by IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a phenomenon predicted by Nobel laureate physicist Sheldon Glashow in 1960. The discovery provides evidence for the Standard Model of particle physics and sheds light on extreme cosmic events.
Scientists at Nagoya University have found that an electric accelerator for auroras exists much higher in space than previously thought, beyond 30,000 kilometres above the Earth's surface. This finding offers insight into Earth and other planets as well, shedding light on the process of aurora formation.
A University of Arizona team proposes a solar-powered lunar ark to store cryogenically frozen seed, spore, sperm, and egg samples from 6.7 million Earth species in the event of a global crisis. The concept, inspired by Noah's Ark, aims to preserve biodiversity and prevent extinction.
Researchers have found a curious signal that could be the first known world around Vega. The alien planet would orbit close to Vega and rank as the second hottest world known to science.
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.
Researchers found evidence of tectonic activity on exoplanet LHS 3844b, resulting in extreme temperature contrasts and potential volcanic activity. The planet's surface receives intense radiation, causing blistering heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night.
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.
A new study suggests that Earth's oxygen-rich atmosphere will likely persist for around one billion years, with a high degree of uncertainty. The researchers used a numerical model to simulate climate and biogeochemical processes, finding that the atmosphere will probably decline in oxygen levels due to CO2 scarcity.
The Tibet ASgamma experiment has discovered gamma rays beyond 100 TeV from a supernova remnant, suggesting that cosmic-ray nuclei are accelerated up to PeV energy and collide with a nearby molecular cloud. This discovery identifies the first candidate object in the Milky Way that can accelerate cosmic rays up to 1 PeV.
Researchers introduce a novel algorithm to estimate speed and angle of rotating objects in space, then apply these estimates to develop high-resolution images. The method achieves improved resolution without being heavily affected by atmospheric fluctuations.
The 'Destination Earth' initiative aims to create a highly accurate digital model of the Earth, incorporating observational data and new human activity data. This digital twin will enable high-resolution simulations of complex processes and inform policies on sustainable development.
Researchers at NASA and German Aerospace Center sent microbes to Earth's stratosphere, replicating Martian conditions, to test their endurance. The study found that some microorganisms, such as spores from the black mold fungus, could survive high UV radiation and desiccation during space travel.
Researchers from the GLOBE Institute at University of Copenhagen found that water may be present during planet formation, applicable to Earth, Venus, and Mars. The study suggests that planets with similar building blocks and temperature conditions as Earth may have oceans and continents.
Astronomers have created a massive atlas of widely separated binary stars within 3,000 light years of Earth, comprising 1.3 million pairs. This increase in sample size provides insights into the evolutionary phases of these binaries, including 17,000 white dwarfs.
Scientists have uncovered a gigantic cosmic particle accelerator after tracing a ghostly neutrino back to a shredded star. The detection provides evidence that tidal disruption events can be powerful natural particle accelerators.
A new study reveals a key connection between Antarctic iceberg melt and the activation of mechanisms leading to prolonged global cooling and the beginning of ice ages. Researchers found that changes in ocean circulation patterns, triggered by the melting of icebergs, can draw CO2 from the atmosphere, reducing the greenhouse effect.
Researchers demonstrate that basic features of simple polymers and prebiotic environment can give rise to selection processes that reduce disorder. They identify specific base sequences that enable oligomers to fold into particular shapes, leading to the emergence of catalytically active complexes like ribozymes.
More than half of Earth's river basins have undergone significant changes in biodiversity due to human activities such as overfishing, pollution and climate change. Conservation efforts must focus on both protected and degraded areas to meet the goal of preserving at least 30% of Earth's surface by 2030.
A research team has detected organic molecules and gases in 3.5 billion-year-old rocks, dating back to a time when early life developed on Earth. The findings suggest that these ancient rocks may have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on our planet.
Researchers have discovered a potential Earth-like planet in the Alpha Centauri star system using unprecedented sensitivity data collection methods. The team's findings suggest that this exoplanet may be located in a habitable zone where liquid water could form.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a connection between slow-motion fault slips and fast earthquakes, finding that 'slow slips' precede dozens of large magnitude 7 earthquakes. These precursory slips are directly involved in starting the earthquake and migrate towards where the fast slip begins.
A new study suggests that a 15-million-year journey was aided by a drop in atmospheric CO2 levels around 214 million years ago. The lower CO2 may have reduced climatic barriers, making it easier for sauropodomorph dinosaurs to migrate from Argentina and Brazil to Greenland.
Astronomers have discovered three hot worlds larger than Earth in the Pisces-Eridanus stream, a collection of young stars. The planets, TOI 451 b, c, and d, are expected to retain much of their atmospheres despite intense heat from their nearby star.
A new method for directly imaging planets in the habitable zone of nearby stars has been developed, allowing for the detection of Earth-like planets. This technique uses a coronagraph and mid-infrared technology to improve sensitivity by a factor of 10 compared to existing capabilities.
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.
A University of Washington study suggests that reducing emissions by 1.8% annually would be required to meet the 2 degrees Celsius global temperature target. This represents an 80% increase in ambition over current Paris Agreement targets.
A Rutgers-led study has discovered the natural mineral hematite is responsible for the red color in New Jersey rocks and American Southwest formations. The research reveals that hematite concentrations track 14.5 million years of Late Triassic monsoonal rainfall, providing valuable insights into ancient climate change.
A team of geoscientists has created an entirely new model of Earth evolution over the last billion years, showcasing how geological processes, like plate tectonics, provide a planetary life-support system. The research helps understand planetary habitability and finding critical metal resources needed for a low-carbon future.
The Arctic is warming at a rate twice as fast as the rest of the planet due to regional factors such as reduced albedo and aerosol interactions. Research suggests that clouds and aerosols play a crucial role in regulating the climate, and improving weather models could help predict future changes.
Researchers create more detailed record of global temperature during early Paleozoic era, revealing temperature variations coinciding with shifts in planet's biodiversity. The new timeline is based on analysis of carbonate muds, which preserve signatures of their original surrounding temperature.
Researchers used computer models to recreate the impact that carved out Mead crater, finding that Venus's lithosphere must have been quite thick for the crater's ring structures to be where they are. This suggests that plate tectonics was not happening on Venus at the time of the impact.
The report reveals growing risk factors including permafrost emissions, weakening carbon uptake, and climate change impacts on freshwater and mental health. It also highlights the untapped potential of green COVID-19 recovery packages and the need for a new social contract to cope with transboundary risks.
A new framework predicts likelihood and impact of earthquakes over an entire region by simulating hundreds of thousands of years of seismic history in California. The results compare well with historical earthquakes and display a realistic distribution of earthquake probabilities.
A new study measured the densities of seven exoplanets in the TRAPPIST-1 system with extreme precision, finding remarkably similar compositions among all planets. The researchers propose three hypotheses to explain this similarity, including lower iron content, oxygen-enriched compositions, and water enrichment.
Researchers found distinct nitrogen isotopic signatures in iron meteorites, suggesting the protoplanetary disk divided into two reservoirs within 300,000 years of its formation. This discovery challenges current understanding of volatile elements' origin and habitability of exoplanets.
A team of researchers discovered that the early Solar System formed in two distinct steps, resulting in different planetary compositions and evolutionary paths. The study explains why the inner planets are small and dry, while the outer planets are larger and wet.
The study reveals that the Flensburg meteorite contains carbonates dating back over three million years, making them the oldest in the solar system. The findings also suggest that liquid water existed on a minor planet early in the solar system's formation.
Researchers used data from Curiosity rover and Earth comparisons to determine temperature impact on Martian rocks, finding it was the biggest factor in weathering sediments.
Researchers have discovered that tiny bubbles in erupted lava can tell tales of big volcanic eruptions, and magnetite crystals may explain the staggering number of bubbles. Scientists used numerical models to reconcile differences between predicted and actual bubble amounts, leading to improved volcanic forecasts.
A team of scientists has reconstructed solar activity from 969 to 1933 using measurements of radioactive carbon in tree rings. The study used modern detection techniques to achieve high precision, confirming the regularity of the eleven-year cycle and revealing potential solar energetic proton events.
Researchers found that WASP-107b's massive gas envelope could form easily with a less massive core than previously thought, contradicting classical models of gas-giant planet formation. The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of exoplanet formation and the variety of planets in the universe.
New study reveals that Antarctic icebergs trigger chain reactions leading to prolonged cold temperatures. The research suggests a 'missing link' in the process that leads to ice ages, with implications for understanding climate change and future ocean circulation patterns.
Leading experts predict a 'ghastly future' due to accelerating biodiversity loss and climate change, warning that world leaders need to take immediate action. The researchers emphasize the importance of addressing these pressing issues to avoid catastrophic consequences for centuries to come.
Researchers on the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) project have detected a strong signal in their dataset, but cannot yet confirm it as the gravitational wave background. The team is hoping to pinpoint the source of the signal and gain insights into the universe through this discovery.
Chemists at Scripps Research Institute demonstrate a simple compound called diamidophosphate can assemble DNA building blocks into primordial DNA strands. This finding supports the theory that DNA and RNA arose together as products of similar chemical reactions.
A research team led by Dr. Vicky Hamilton has identified a potentially new meteorite parent asteroid through analysis of the Almahata Sitta meteorite. The study suggests that the parent body was an asteroid roughly the size of Ceres, formed in the presence of water under intermediate temperatures and pressures.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that volcanic eruptions directly triggered ocean acidification during the Early Cretaceous Period. The eruption of the Ontong Java Plateau large igneous province led to a minor but significant mass extinction, affecting the entire globe.
Researchers from St. Petersburg University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev discovered cyclophosphates, chemically active phosphorus-containing compounds found in rocks along the Dead Sea. These compounds are thought to have played a key role in prebiotic phosphorylation reactions that led to the emergence of primordial life.