Research on Earth's systems and resources. Covers green energy, ocean oxygen and metal deposits, lunar exploration, and geothermal power.
A team of geophysicists used the ROMY ring laser to measure the Earth's rotational velocity and axis orientation, achieving the most precise ground-based measurements yet. The instrument detected minute alterations in the Earth's rotation caused by ocean currents, ice mass shifts, and seismic events.
A new theory proposes that early Earth's lithosphere heated up and expanded, causing cracks that eventually divided the planet into plates. The model, developed by Dr. Alexander Webb and his team, suggests that volcanic heat loss led to thermal contraction, which in turn caused the outer shell to warm up and expand.
Scientists have found that heating interstellar organic matter can produce abundant water and oil, challenging the cometary origin theory of terrestrial water. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used chemical reagents to mimic interstellar organics and demonstrated the formation of water droplets at high temperatures.
Researchers studied robotic explorers' impact on asteroid surfaces, finding that some rocks and boulders likely ricochet due to low gravity. The study provides critical information for designing successful asteroid missions.
A new study using supercomputer simulations reveals the scale of atmosphere loss during giant planetary collisions. Grazing impacts led to less atmospheric loss than direct hits, while higher speeds resulted in complete erosion of the atmosphere. The research provides insight into the evolution of planets and their atmospheres.
Researchers analyze Comet ATLAS's carbonaceous particles to determine the age of other comets. The study suggests that long-period comets with high carbon content have spent less time in the Solar System.
Astronomers have successfully detected a superflare on the nearby red dwarf AD Leonis, with one flare being 20 times larger than those emitted by our sun. The high-quality data from the Seimei Telescope has revealed intriguing phenomena, including an increase in high-energy electrons and unusual light patterns.
Researchers discovered that Sun-like stars create lithium later in their lives, after swelling into red giants, contradicting previous theories. This finding will help improve understanding and modeling of Sun-like stars, including their contribution to the lithium content of our Galaxy and planets like Earth.
A new study found higher metal concentrations in the Moon's craters, which could change our understanding of its formation. The researchers used radar to image and characterize fine dust at the bottom of craters, revealing a potentially richer subsurface.
Researchers found two chemically distinct hemispheric faces, with the Pacific ring of fire being the surface expression of the boundary between them. The African domain contains continental materials brought down by subduction systems, while the Pacific domain has been protected from such infiltration.
Multiple transpolar auroral arcs are formed by plasma flow shears and electrical currents along the Earth's magnetic field. The study reveals insight into coupling processes in the Earth's magnetotail under a northward interplanetary magnetic field.
The project aims to develop advanced compression space suits designed to protect astronauts from physical strains in space missions. The technology is also transferable to medical applications for burns, sports injuries, lymphedema, osteoporosis, and cerebral palsy.
A new £20M research program will enhance UK's space weather monitoring capability, enabling faster and more accurate predictions of solar superstorms and severe space weather events. The University of Birmingham leads the effort, developing data modeling technology to underpin the work.
A team of geochemists at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has solved the mystery of Earth's vanishing crust by discovering a distinct chemical fingerprint for subducted crust. They found that about 5-6% of the Earth's mantle is made of recycled crust, contradicting prevailing theories on crust formation rates.
Researchers at NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre have developed intelligent systems capable of identifying geochemical signatures of life from rock samples. The new system, set to debut on the 2022/23 ExoMars mission, will prioritize data transmission over huge distances, overcoming limitations in the search for life on Mars.
Researchers have detected a system of super-Earths orbiting the nearby star Gliese 887, a red dwarf with conditions suitable for liquid water and potentially hosting life. The newly discovered planets are large enough to be rocky worlds and could retain their atmospheres due to the star's low activity.
Astronomers have discovered an infant planet, AU Mic b, orbiting a 25-million-year-old star in the solar system. The planet, about the size of Neptune, takes only eight and a half days to complete one orbit around its host star, AU Microscopii.
Researchers simulate exoplanet conditions to study the boundary between water and rock, finding a new transitional phase that challenges current models of distant worlds. This discovery could inform our understanding of life evolving on these planets.
Astronomers using TESS and Spitzer data report the discovery of AU Mic b, a Neptune-like planet that orbits its young star in under 10 days. The system offers a unique laboratory for studying planetary atmospheres and interactions with stars.
Astronomers have discovered 25 debris disks around young stars, revealing evidence of planets in nearly all cases. The high-resolution images were obtained using the Gemini Planet Imager and show a variety of shapes and sizes of stellar systems during their prime planet-forming years.
Researchers suggest that radioactive elements uniquely distributed after the Moon-forming collision led to the near and far sides' differences. The unique composition of KREEP rocks, linked to radioactively unstable elements, provides a key explanation for the Moon's asymmetry.
Robert Weigel is analyzing three-dimensional magnetosphere state using magnetohydrodynamic simulations to understand auroral boundary expansion during extreme events. His goal is to identify cause and quantify model uncertainty of extreme geomagnetic and geoelectric field enhancements.
More than a quarter of exoplanets could be ocean worlds, harboring subsurface oceans and releasing energy similar to Europa and Enceladus. Scientists predict that these planets may be geologically active enough to support life, with some releasing more heat than others.
A team of geoscientists used seismic anisotropy to create high-resolution, 3D images of mantle flows in a subduction region. The images revealed fragmented tectonic plates and complex mantle flow patterns.
A team of astronomers has detected a periodic pattern of fast radio bursts from an unknown source outside our galaxy, 500 million light years away. The pattern repeats every 16 days and is the most definitive one seen from a FRB source, offering a clue to the physics behind these intense flashes of radio waves.
Researchers estimate that there may be as many as one Earth-like planet for every five Sun-like stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. This number could lead to new insights into planet formation and evolution theories, optimizing future exoplanet missions.
Purdue University researchers develop a technique using sunlight to identify satellite issues, potentially reducing the risk of 'space junk'. Light curves collected from satellites or their parts can reveal structural malfunctions.
Researchers estimate 30+ active intelligent civilizations in our galaxy using new data and simplifying assumptions about life forms. The Astrobiological Copernican Limit suggests that intelligent life may exist for billions of years, giving clues to our own civilization's long-term existence.
Researchers have found evidence of a major 'stirring up' in the mantle layer around 3.2 billion years ago, indicating the start of global plate tectonic activity. This discovery has implications for our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth and the formation of mineral and energy resources.
Researchers have created a new map revealing the Earth's mantle at a depth of 3,000 kilometers by analyzing thousands of seismic waves collected over 30 years. The map shows hot and dense regions below Hawaii and French Polynesia.
Researchers at the University of Reading found that calculating the speed of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) when they hit Earth provides more useful early warnings for satellite operators. This allows them to take evasive action or switch off systems to protect against radiation damage, and warn astronauts of potential threats.
Researchers found ancient stardust and water on asteroid Vesta, suggesting a possible mechanism for delivering water to young Earth. The study provides insights into the formation of our solar system and the origins of water in the inner solar system.
The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, found that there are more stars like the Sun than expected in these groups, increasing the chances of finding Earth-like planets. These 'magma ocean planets' are easier to detect near stars like the Sun and emit heat that can be observed with next-generation infrared telescopes.
Elsevier has launched a free access special issue of curated content focused on biodiversity, highlighting the urgent need for climate action and protecting the planet. The collection features over 60 carefully selected journal articles and book chapters supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Scientists at the DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have reproduced a process that occurs in space to deepen understanding of what happens when the Earth encounters the solar wind. The research aims to help forecast space weather and protect satellites that enable global communication.
Researchers found that solar geoengineering schemes could weaken extratropical storm tracks in both hemispheres, leading to less powerful winter storms but also stagnant conditions and reduced wind. The study's results have significant implications for understanding the potential effects of climate engineering on global weather patterns.
A new study reveals how 'continuous reaction networks' can produce RNA precursors and possibly ultimately RNA itself, a critical bridge to life. The experiments exposed simple molecules to high-energy radiation and evaporation, returning compounds that may have been important for the origins of life.
Researchers have discovered the closest young brown dwarf with a disk that could potentially host planets, located just 332 light-years from Earth. The brown dwarf, named W1200-7845, is estimated to be 3.7 million years old and sits within a moving group of stars.
The ESPRESSO spectrograph has confirmed the existence of Proxima b, a planet the size of Earth orbiting Proxima Centauri in just 11.2 days. The discovery reveals that Proxima b is located in its star's habitable zone and could potentially harbor life.
Deep earthquakes can provide vital clues to understanding plate tectonics and the Earth's interior. A new model simulates subduction zones, showing that deformation is a major factor in deep earthquakes.
Researchers found evidence of continental growth starting as early as 4.4 billion years ago, indicating that tectonic plate movement began more than a billion years earlier than previously believed. This discovery challenges our understanding of Earth's geological history and suggests a complex process involving the recycling of crust.
Scientists studying Martian rocks find evidence of long-lived lakes, organic compounds, and a cold ancient environment. The discovery suggests that Mars' climate may have changed over time, with factors like volcanic activity and changes in the planet's obliquity contributing to these shifts.
Researchers found that free flowing mud under Martian conditions behaves differently from on Earth due to rapid freezing and icy crust formation. The experimental mud flows formed similar shapes to 'pahoehoe' lava, explaining the formation of lava-like flow morphologies on Mars.
Researchers have developed a way to study liquid silicates at extreme conditions, providing clues about the Earth's origin story and the formation of rocky planets. The study may lead to a better understanding of the planet's early molten days and potentially unlock secrets of exoplanets.
A new study using Bayesian statistics estimates the odds of life and intelligence emerging on planets similar to Earth, suggesting that complex extraterrestrial life is possible. The analysis indicates that life should have little problem spontaneously emerging on other planets, but intelligent life is less likely.
New Rutgers research confirms that modern sea-level rise is linked to human activities and not changes in Earth's orbit. Surprisingly, the Earth had nearly ice-free conditions with carbon dioxide levels similar to today.
The Cassini spacecraft captured high-resolution images of Saturn's Hexagon, revealing a multilayered haze system with particles as small as 1 micron. The team discovered that the hazes are organized by gravity waves and may be responsible for the hexagon's formation.
A new framework, called a 'detectability index,' has been developed to help scientists narrow down the field of exoplanets that require additional study. The index takes into account factors such as oxygen levels and water content on planets, providing a tool for prioritizing targets for observation.
The international geoscience community has endorsed a declaration affirming its commitment to apply its expertise to meet societal challenges and support essential research. Geoscientists possess unique skills to address global crises, and the community pledges to leverage this expertise for a sustainable future.
Cornell University astronomers have created a spectral field guide to help future scientists identify biosignatures in the atmospheres of Earth-like exoplanets orbiting white dwarfs. The guide provides template for possible biosignatures, including methane and ozone, which could indicate life on these distant worlds.
A team of researchers has discovered a system of ridges on the nearside of the Moon topped with freshly exposed boulders, which could be evidence of active lunar tectonic processes. The findings suggest that the Moon may still be experiencing ongoing geological activity.
The Hubble Space Telescope has imaged the breakup of comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS), revealing approximately 30 fragments on April 20 and 25 pieces on April 23. The comet's fragmented appearance changes substantially between the two days, sparking debate among researchers about the cause of fragmentation.
Researchers analyzed fossil vertebrates from the Kem Kem Group, revealing a diverse array of predators, including flying reptiles, crocodile-like hunters, and giant fish. The study provides insights into Africa's Age of Dinosaurs and sheds light on the Sahara's ancient past.
Researchers analyzed satellite imagery and found river delta deposits in Jezero crater that formed over time scales promoting habitability and preservation of evidence. The study suggests ancient life could have existed near the Martian surface, with potential implications for understanding life evolution on Earth.
The Arecibo Observatory is tracking a near-Earth asteroid called 1998 OR2, which has unique topographic features that resemble a face mask. The asteroid's size and rotation period have been confirmed through observations, and monitoring its trajectory will help improve impact-risk mitigation technologies.
The study presents a comprehensive view of tectonic stresses acting on North America, offering regional clues about subsurface behavior. The findings have implications for understanding and mitigating induced seismicity, particularly in areas targeted for energy exploration.
Researchers found evidence of modern-like plate motion velocities at 3.2 Ga in rocks from the Honeyeater Basalt, pushing back the date for plate tectonics' onset. The discovery supports the theory that continuous uniform processes shaped Earth's crust.
Harvard researchers have detected some of the earliest evidence for modern-like plate motion in ancient rocks from Australia and South Africa, dating back to 3.2 billion years ago. The study suggests that tectonic movement occurred on the early Earth, providing valuable insights into the evolution of life and climate.
A team of international researchers has provided a mineralogy lab study for water-rich exoplanets, revealing an unexpected new solid phase with silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The findings suggest that the distinction between water and rock layers in these planets may be 'fuzzy' at high pressure and temperature.
Researchers used a new geochemical tool to analyze volatile elements in Earth's interior, revealing that nitrogen has been present since the planet's formation. The method, which identifies air contamination, provides valuable insights into the evolution of our planet and may also be used to monitor volcanic activity.