Articles tagged with Planet Earth
Researchers have discovered a sonic boom from an immense, unseen gamma-ray burst explosion. The blast generated two jets of gamma rays that crashed into surrounding gas, producing a shock wave akin to a sonic boom. This finding provides crucial new insight into the nature of gamma-ray bursts and their jets.
Astronomers at Columbia University have discovered a candidate exomoon orbiting a gas-giant planet 8,000 light-years away. The moon is estimated to be 1.5% the mass of its companion planet and lies within the star's habitable zone, where liquid water may exist on solid surfaces.
EPFL scientist Claudio Grimaldi has developed a statistical model to calculate the probability of detecting extraterrestrial signals, increasing the chances of finding intelligent life. The model employs Bayes' theorem to interpret success and failure rates at varying distances from Earth.
Researchers at UCF developed a scientifically based method for creating Martian and asteroid soil simulants. The team published their findings in the journal Icarus and is now selling the simulant, which can be used for experiments on Earth.
A team of UCSB students, led by Philip Lubin, are searching for signs of alien life in Andromeda using a suite of telescopes and photonic technology. They aim to detect potential signals from civilizations using optical beams that could be visible across the universe.
Researchers at MIT have developed a software tool that automatically generates maps of favorable landing sites on Mars, taking into account scientific priorities and engineering constraints. The program uses fuzzy logic to deal with imprecision in the data and can explore different landing and exploratory scenarios.
Scientists discovered that methane absorption is 10 times stronger over desert regions like the Sahara Desert and Arabian Peninsula than elsewhere on Earth. Cloud cover also enhances methane radiative forcing, with increased forcing found over oceanic stratus cloud decks and the Intertropical Convergence Zone near the equator.
Researchers at University of Hawaii at Manoa discovered that phosphates, a key element in life's building blocks, were generated in outer space and delivered to early Earth via meteorites or comets. This breakthrough suggests that the origins of life on Earth may have been influenced by extraterrestrial materials.
A new study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters proposes that plate tectonics could have started as early as the planet's formation. Researchers analyzed noble gas isotopes Helium-3 and Neon-22 to establish a timeline of Earth's tectonic plate cycling, providing insight into the planet's earliest conditions.
A new study estimates that up to a quarter of the microbes on Earth could be uncultured and dominate nearly all environments except the human body. The research, led by Karen Lloyd, used computational power to analyze 1.5 million DNA sequences and found that as many as 30 phyla of unseen microbes exist.
Researchers from MIT's EAPS department found a linear relationship between the Earth's surface temperature and its outgoing heat, which may break down at higher temperatures. The study suggests that water vapor feedback is responsible for this relationship, and it could help climate scientists model the effects of climate change.
Researchers use Earth's geological record to identify vegetation signatures on exoplanets, which can indicate the presence of life. The study found that as plants evolved on Earth, their signature became stronger, making older exoplanets more promising targets for detecting vegetation.
A new study reveals that ancient Mars likely had an ample supply of chemical energy for microbes to thrive underground. The researchers estimate that hydrogen concentrations in the crust around 4 billion years ago would have been sufficient to support microbial life.
Scientists discovered that a North Korean nuclear bomb test in 2017 set off aftershocks over eight months, providing insight into the physics of nuclear explosions and how natural earthquakes can be triggered. The analysis used new methods to pinpoint the locations of the quakes with greater precision, revealing a hidden fracture.
The TESS mission captured a detailed picture of the southern sky with its four wide-field cameras, while Parker Solar Probe and GOLD returned initial data on their instruments and science potential. The three missions offer new perspectives on exoplanets, solar activity, and space weather.
A cross-disciplinary team led by Rice University will investigate the formation of life-essential elements in rocky planets during their early evolution. The CLEVER Planets project aims to understand how these elements survive turbulent periods and ultimately lead to habitability, with a focus on rocky worlds beyond our solar system.
DoYeon Kim, a UNIST Ph.D. student, has been selected for the GRA-NRF program in Canada to co-research on Arctic climate change with Professor Timothy Merilis at McGill University.
ELFIN aims to measure magnetic waves and 'lost' electrons, verifying the causal mechanism behind energetic electrons escaping the Van Allen Belts. The mission uses two CubeSats to observe electron precipitation across space and time.
Researchers propose a new perspective on the Gaia hypothesis, integrating human consciousness into the planet's self-regulation system. This 'Gaia 2.0' framework suggests that humans can deliberately limit their impacts on the environment through conscious choice and technological advancements.
The University of California, Davis, is targeting underrepresented students in geoscience fields through a five-year project funded by the National Science Foundation. The initiative aims to increase diversity in these areas by providing scholarships and field experiences for eligible students. It will also test a research question abo...
The flight operations team at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center conducted two successful communications tests, simulating the complex exchange of command and telemetry data among multiple service providers during the first six hours of flight. The team successfully communicated with the telescope and demonstrated their ability to comm...
Researchers used data from NASA's Kepler Space Telescope to discover Wolf 503b, an exoplanet with a radius near the 'Fulton gap', and is part of a class of 'super-Earths'. The discovery provides insights into the origin of this size gap and the nature of these planets.
Astronomers used a continent-wide collection of radio telescopes to observe the aftermath of a neutron star merger and confirmed the presence of a narrow, fast-moving jet of material. The jet moved at nearly the speed of light and was likely powered by the gravitational energy released during the merger.
A new study challenges the idea that life requires an 'Earth clone' by finding that water worlds could be habitable for a significant percentage of simulated planets. Researchers used over 1,000 simulations to find that 10% of planets stay stable for more than a billion years without geochemical cycling.
A University of Arizona-led research team analyzed past vegetation changes to project future ecosystem transformations under current warming scenarios. The study found that regions with highest temperature increases since the last ice age experienced dramatic vegetation changes, posing a significant risk to global biodiversity.
Researchers re-examine older data on coronal mass ejections, finding new information that could help protect satellites and the electrical grid from impacts.
Researchers have proposed a new model for Jupiter's birth, revealing three distinct phases of growth. The first phase was characterized by rapid accretion of small pebbles and core building, followed by slower accretion of larger planetesimals that brought energy to the growing planet.
Researchers from Columbia University and USGS develop a physics-based model that replicates California's statistical seismic hazard model. This breakthrough marks a turning point in earthquake forecasting, providing accurate hazard estimates for engineers and regulators to make informed decisions on building codes and construction costs.
A new study by the University of Bristol has created a timescale for the origin and evolution of all life on Earth, revealing that life emerged around 4.5 billion years ago from a single ancestor called LUCA. The study uses genomic and fossil data to provide a more accurate timeline than previously thought.
Scientists have found that many exoplanets, especially those between two to four times the size of Earth, are likely to be water-rich. This suggests that water worlds may be common, with implications for the search for life in our Galaxy.
Researchers measured compositions of 18 planetary systems up to 456 light years away, finding similar proportions of elements to those on Earth. The study suggests that Earth-like planets may exist elsewhere in the galaxy.
Scientists found that ancient silica-rich felsic rocks in Canada formed at high temperatures and shallow crust depths, likely due to meteorite bombardment. The results suggest that these rocks are the only surviving remnants of a barrage of extraterrestrial impacts that shaped Earth's early history.
A new review detects mini-moons, small asteroids temporarily captured in Earth's orbit, which can provide interesting science and technology testbeds. The advent of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will verify their existence and track their paths around our planet.
Scientists have discovered a repeatable pattern in how space weather activity changes with the solar cycle, enabling better understanding and planning for space weather. The breakthrough allows for more accurate forecasting of potential threats to Earth from solar flares and extreme space weather.
Researchers at Kanazawa University used satellite data to study the Earth's inner magnetosphere, gaining a better understanding of charged particles and electric fields. This knowledge can help protect satellites from damage caused by particle bursts, enabling more accurate space weather forecasts.
A NASA scientist is developing a robotic instrument to identify bacteria and archaea on Mars and other planets. The FISHBot will use fluorescent in situ hybridization to detect genetic sequences in samples, which could indicate the presence of life.
Parker Solar Probe, launched in August 2018, will study the solar corona's temperature and wind sources with French-developed instruments. The probe will complete 25 orbits near the Sun, reaching speeds of up to 700,000 km/h.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis reveals that the Earth shifted its volatile transport regime around 2.5 billion years ago, with a significant increase in regassing potentially enabled by subduction. This change had a profound impact on the internal churning of the mantle and plate motions at the surface.
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are investigating the use of gallium nitride crystals in various space applications, including radiation tolerance and neutron detection. The material's high efficiency and resistance to radiation make it an attractive option for reducing instrument size, weight, and power consumption.
Researchers investigate intrinsic biogeophysical feedbacks that may lead to 'Hothouse Earth' conditions despite reduced human emissions. The study highlights the risk of exceeding global average temperatures in interglacial periods of the past 1.2 million years.
Researchers have uncovered the remnants of the early solar system with the discovery of an ancient igneous meteorite containing silica-rich crustal rocks. The oldest recorded igneous meteorite, dating back 4.565 billion years, provides valuable insights into planet formation and volcanic rock compositions in the early solar system.
Before its scientific missions, NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) caught a comet in stunning images. The comet, C/2018 N1, was located about 29 million miles from Earth and moved across the frame as it orbited the Sun.
A new study warns that reducing greenhouse gas emissions may not be enough to avoid a 'Hothouse Earth' state, where temperatures could rise by 4-5°C and sea levels increase by 10-60m. The authors call for accelerated transition towards an emission-free world economy.
A NASA scientist has mapped the heat escaping from beneath Greenland's ice sheet, revealing a thermal track that records the movement of a continent through Earth's history. This heat map exposes a diagonal scar of warm, dense rock below the surface, created by a mantle plume that has fueled volcanic eruptions.
Researchers found a group of planets outside our solar system where chemical conditions similar to Earth's exist. These planets are in the habitable range and receive sufficient ultraviolet light from their host stars to kick-start life. The study identifies potential candidates, including Kepler 452b, that could support life development.
Astronomers discover rare radioactive molecule 26AlF in debris of ancient stellar merger CK Vul, revealing insights into star formation and galactic evolution. The detection marks the first time this isotope has been found outside our solar system.
A class X-2.2 and major class X-9.3 solar flare erupted on the morning of September 6, causing a strong radio blackout over most of the sunlit side of Earth, including the Caribbean. The disruption affected shortwave radio communications used by amateurs and professionals in emergency response efforts.
A computer model of a planet's lifecycle reveals stagnant lid planets can sustain liquid water and potentially life for billions of years. The presence and amount of heat-producing elements are key indicators of habitability, according to Penn State researchers.
TESS starts its search for planets, monitoring the nearest and brightest stars for periodic dips in their light, which suggest a planet may be passing in front of its star. The mission aims to discover thousands of exoplanets, some potentially supporting life.
Scientists have long been puzzled by the Sun's hot corona, with temperatures up to 2 million degrees Fahrenheit. The Parker Solar Probe will sample just-heated particles in the corona, providing the most pristine measurements ever recorded.
Researchers Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Ian Crawford suggest two periods when Earth's Moon was habitable for simple lifeforms, including during its formation and a peak in volcanic activity around 3.5 billion years ago. Conditions were suitable for liquid water and an atmosphere to form on the lunar surface.
Researchers found that ancient rock sulfur isotope anomalies align in rivers eroding the rocks, supporting the timing of oxygen's appearance around 2.7 billion years ago. The balance suggests a robust oxygenation event, allowing for better understanding of complex life's emergence.
Parker Solar Probe aims to study the Sun's dynamic and magnetically active star, focusing on the acceleration of solar wind, corona's high temperatures, and solar energetic particles. The mission uses four suites of instruments to gather data remotely and in situ.
Researchers found anomalous oxygen isotopes in an ancient Canadian lake bed, hinting at life on ancient Earth's surface. The study provides evidence of a lower gross primary production during the Proterozoic eon, shedding light on the evolution of life on Earth.
Researchers found that climate plays a significant role in shaping river basins, with dry climates resulting in long and thin basins regardless of size. In contrast, larger humid basins are longer and thinner, while smaller humid basins are wider and shorter.
NASA's PACE mission will use Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) to demonstrate the first key opportunity of this revolutionary capability. DTN enables information to be sent through space and ground networks without a continuous path, making it ideal for remote locations with limited network connectivity.
Researchers found that cratonic roots may contain 1 to 2 percent diamond, with a total estimated value of quadrillion tons. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the rarity of diamond and sheds light on the geological scale of its presence.
An international team of scientists has found evidence of a far-distant source of high-energy particles called neutrinos, an energetic galaxy about 4 billion light years from Earth. The discovery was made using the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and confirms that this galaxy is a cosmic ray accelerator.
The James Webb Space Telescope will observe the atmospheres of gas giant exoplanets, including WASP-79b and WASP-43b, to detect water, carbon monoxide, and other molecules. The telescope aims to understand the physical processes responsible for these variations and their implications for potentially habitable planets.
Researchers have determined the detailed chemical abundances of Ross 128, a red dwarf star that hosts an exoplanet similar to our Solar System's Jupiter. This helps estimate the makeup of Ross 128 b, indicating it should be rocky with a temperate climate.