Articles tagged with Planet Earth
Researchers discovered evidence of rapid climate changes on a millennial-to-centennial scale that occurred 780 to 760 thousand years ago. The findings suggest that this interglacial climate could be useful in predicting the Earth's future climate.
A team of scientists identified 68 exoplanets where observers can see the planets in our Solar System transit the Sun. Nine of these are ideally placed to observe Earth's transits, although none are habitable.
Researchers develop new scale to measure civilization advancement, emphasizing the importance of sustainable planet management. Earth may reach Class V in future if humanity adopts renewable energy sources.
A new classification scheme for planetary stages based on non-equilibrium thermodynamics categorizes worlds by energy flow and life's effect. This framework, proposed by researchers, places Earth in Class IV due to its thick biosphere and strong impact from human activities.
Researchers at Georgia Tech formed hundreds of possible precursor molecules in the lab and found that depsipeptides formed quickly and abundantly under conditions common on prebiotic Earth. These molecules could have served as a chemical stepping stone, accelerating the birth of long peptides that make up proteins.
Research identifies Nitrospira inopinata, a microbe that can outcompete others in oxidizing ammonium, potentially reducing greenhouse gas effects and improving environmental balance. The discovery has significant implications for climate change research and may lead to practical applications such as wastewater treatment and soil purifi...
Scientists estimate that a massive asteroid impact could have triggered 2 years of darkness on Earth, shutting down photosynthesis and drastically cooling the planet. The research found that soot in the atmosphere would have blocked sunlight, causing a steep decline in average temperatures.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington predicted an additional Earth-like planet in the Gliese 832 system, with stable orbital configuration and mass range of 1-15 Earth masses. The team analyzed simulated data using injected Earth-mass planet to find a habitable zone for potential new world.
Saint Louis University chemist Paul Bracher has received a $597,380 NSF grant to investigate the origins of life on Earth and potentially in oily environments like Titan. The research aims to develop new biochemistry that can function in organic solvents.
The Mars 2020 mission utilizes advanced techniques developed from studying early life on Earth to detect biosignatures in ancient Martian rocks. By mapping elemental and organic composition at high spatial resolution, scientists aim to determine if these features were formed by life.
Researchers from Australian National University discovered ancient sedimentary rocks revealing molecular fossils that indicate the emergence of algae, a pivotal moment in ecosystems. This event led to the evolution of complex life, including humans.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) will capture an image of the Moon's shadow on Earth during a solar eclipse on Aug. 21. The public can participate by waving at the Moon, with the camera resolution able to see continents and large surface features.
Researchers at Caltech simulated earthquakes in a lab to measure dynamic friction and its impact on seismic events. They found that slip velocity is the key factor in dynamic friction, contradicting previous assumptions.
Scientists confirm weathering of rocks is key to planet's recovery from extreme temperatures, enabling life to thrive for over 4 billion years. However, rapid global warming poses a threat to this recovery process, highlighting the need for urgent action.
Astronomer Rory Barnes finds that tidal locking is a major factor in the evolution of potentially habitable exoplanets, suggesting they may be more common than previously thought. The research suggests that even Earth's 'twin' could be tidally locked.
Researchers from MIT and Rutgers University found evidence of an active lunar dynamo that generated a magnetic field lasting at least 1 billion years longer than previously thought. The study suggests two possible mechanisms that powered the moon's ancient core, shedding new light on the phenomena that produced the lunar dynamo.
Researchers found that the moon's magnetic field declined by about 90 percent over 3.56 billion years ago, with a 1-2.5 billion year time frame for its existence. This discovery has implications for habitability on other moons and planets, as well as the potential for life to respond to unstable environments.
A sunspot, dubbed AR12665, was tracked by NASA's satellites as it rotated into view on July 5, 2017. The active region produced several solar flares, a coronal mass ejection, and a solar energetic particle event over its 13-day journey.
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will identify over 20,000 extrasolar planets, including Earth-sized and 'super Earth' planets. The satellite's four cameras have been mounted onto the camera plate and successfully demonstrated operation with the flight computer.
Scientists have discovered over 2,000 pulsars, which are rapidly spinning dense stellar corpses that appear to pulse at Earth. The Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer mission will reveal how nature's fundamental forces behave within the cores of these objects.
A new study suggests that glaciers may have played a role in releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, potentially warming the planet. The research found that glacial weathering increased the rate of carbon dioxide release, with oscillating glaciers changing atmospheric levels by up to 25 parts per million over 10,000 years.
A computer model suggests that Proxima b's atmosphere could be lost 10,000 times faster than Earth's due to extreme ultraviolet radiation from its host star. The study considers factors like thermosphere temperature and magnetic field orientation to understand the impact of stellar physics on habitability.
Scientists confirm the presence of vinyl cyanide on Saturn's moon Titan, suggesting chemical processes analogous to those important for life on Earth. The findings provide insights into Titan's unique environment and potential prebiotic chemistry.
NASA scientists have definitively detected acrylonitrile, a chemical thought to form stable structures similar to cell membranes, in Titan's atmosphere. This finding suggests the possibility of membrane-like structures forming on Titan, which could be an important step towards life discovery.
Scientists have discovered water in ancient volcanic deposits on the Moon's surface, finding that nearly all large pyroclastic deposits contain high amounts of trapped water. This bolsters the idea that the lunar mantle may be more water-rich than previously thought, with implications for future lunar exploration.
A NASA-supported experiment on the International Space Station is growing large crystals of pure enzyme to develop improved antidotes for nerve poisons. By harnessing microgravity conditions, researchers hope to create better countermeasures that can quickly reactivate the enzyme and deliver them orally.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that tardigrades can withstand all astrophysical catastrophes and will continue to thrive for at least 10 billion years. The research suggests that life on Earth will extend as long as the Sun shines, opening the possibility of life on other planets.
Researchers discovered ancient plankton-like microfossils in South African and Australian rocks, dating back 3.4 billion years. The fossils' unique morphology and carbon isotope values suggest they had planktonic stages in their life cycles.
Astronomers used novel technique to analyze ETNO orbits, finding clustering of nodes at certain distances from the Sun. The results suggest a planet beyond Pluto, with its orbit potentially interacting with ETNOs.
Scientists have identified patterns in the Earth's magnetic field that evolve on a 1,000-year timescale, allowing for finer resolution of past changes. This discovery enables researchers to study the planet's history with greater precision using a 'geomagnetic fingerprint'.
A new study has found evidence of a yet-to-be-discovered planetary body with a mass between Mars and Earth, warping the orbital planes of Kuiper Belt objects. The object's presence is suggested by its control over the tilt angles of KBOs' orbital planes, indicating a gravitational influence comparable to that of Mars.
Researchers suggest that converging waves in the upper atmosphere amplify naturally occurring airglow, causing the unexplained glow seen in historical observations. Bright airglow can be a concern for astronomers, but its effects are still observable in remote areas.
Researchers suggest using telepresence technology to reduce communication delays in space research, enabling scientists to conduct scientific investigations more quickly. This approach could expand the number of destinations where humans can do great science, including those currently inaccessible due to safety concerns.
Astronomers found new evidence suggesting that a jet of material ejected from one young star triggered the formation of another protostar. The younger star, HOPS 108, lies in the path of an outflow from the older star, HOPS 370. New measurements support the idea that the older star's outflow led to the younger's star formation process.
A new study has classified nearly 3,500 confirmed exoplanets into two distinct size groups: rocky Earth-like planets and larger mini-Neptunes. The researchers used data from NASA's Kepler mission and the W.M. Keck Observatory to make this discovery.
A team of astronomers advocates for a statistical comparative approach to find habitable planets and life beyond the solar system. By studying large numbers of exoplanets with less detailed measurements, they can estimate the frequency of habitable environments and life on those planets.
A new study suggests that comets may have delivered up to 22% of the element xenon found in Earth's atmosphere. The finding is based on analysis of spectrometry data from the Rosetta spacecraft, which detected isotopic signatures of cometary xenon that closely match those on Earth.
A University of Oklahoma researcher has identified the possible compositions of seven planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system, finding six to be Earth-like. The exception, TRAPPIST-1f, has a high water content, suggesting TRAPPIST-1e as a potential candidate for habitability studies.
EPFL scientists have developed an Earth-abundant catalyst to split carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbon monoxide, producing liquid fuels from renewable sources. The catalyst achieved a high efficiency of 13.4% in converting CO2 to CO using solar energy.
Scientists have developed a new method to measure the neutron lifetime, using a magnetic-gravitational trap that provides more precise measurements. The new device uses ultracold neutrons and avoids uneven filling of the trap, resulting in a more accurate measurement of the neutron lifetime.
The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) caught a partial solar eclipse in space when the moon passed in front of the sun. The lunar transit lasted almost an hour and covered about 89% of the sun's surface. The moon's rugged terrain, sprinkled with craters and mountains, influenced what was seen during the event.
The Juno spacecraft has revealed stunning discoveries about Jupiter's core, composition, and magnetosphere, including a dynamo region in the planet's outer core. Scientists are surprised by similarities to Earth's auroras but also find significant differences, including the existence of heavy elements in the interior.
Researchers have developed a new method to investigate underwater volcanoes that produce Earth's tectonic plates. The study found that molten rock is present deeper than expected, indicating faster cooling of the plate, which affects friction at collision zones and megaquake sizes.
A University of Washington study questions the natural thermostat related to rock weathering, suggesting a weaker link between temperature and chemical weathering rates. Researchers suggest alternative mechanisms controlling weathering, such as land exposure and surface steepness, may be more significant.
Geologists created a computer model that helps understand Earth's interior and predicts tectonic activity, including earthquakes and volcanoes. The team found that the subducting slab is the dominant driving force behind mantle deformation.
Researchers Simon Lock and Sarah Stewart propose a new type of planetary object called a synestia, which forms through giant impacts. Synestias could be responsible for moon formation, particularly in our solar system where Earth's moon is similar to its parent planet.
New evidence suggests different origins of topography on Earth, Mars and Titan. Researchers found plate tectonics to be a key factor shaping Earth's surface but not as influential on Mars and Titan.
The MMS mission has discovered a hybrid motion exhibited by electrons in intermediate strength magnetic fields, characterized by spiraling and bouncing motions. This phenomenon plays a key role in magnetic reconnection, a process that can explosively release large amounts of stored magnetic energy.
Researchers found that Titan's topography may grow through tidal changes in its icy crust, unlike Earth and Mars which underwent active plate tectonics. The study also sheds light on Martian topography, suggesting major features formed early in the planet's history.
Researchers used the Met Office Unified Model to simulate Proxima B's climate, finding it could have a habitable atmosphere and stable climate regime. The team also explored different atmospheric compositions and orbital configurations, suggesting the planet could support life.
Scientists have identified the source of unexpected flashes of light reflecting off Earth's surface captured by NASA's EPIC camera. High-altitude ice crystals are the cause of these glints, which were previously thought to be limited to water on land or oceans.
Scientists discovered fossil evidence of early life in ancient hot spring deposits in Western Australia, pushing back the earliest known existence of inhabited terrestrial hot springs by 3 billion years. The discovery has implications for the origin of life and its potential preservation on Mars.
Scientists at ANU analyzed ancient zircon mineral grains to reconstruct the early Earth's surface. The study reveals that the planet remained relatively quiet and calm for its first 700 million years, with no major mountain-building events or continental collisions.
Scientists at McGill University propose a new theory on how Earth's crust was created, suggesting that silica-rich minerals condensed and fell back to earth over about a million years. This process, called aerial metasomatism, could provide clues for the search for life on exoplanets.
Researchers can now count individual birds on remote islands using high-resolution satellite images, allowing for more accurate monitoring of endangered albatross populations. This innovative method is a significant step forward in tracking these iconic birds, which breed in some of the world's most inaccessible locations.
A 250-kilometer-diameter basin in the Falkland Islands exhibits traits of a large impact crater, including decreased gravity strength and increased magnetic field strength. The structure is estimated to be approximately 270-250 million years old, potentially correlating with the largest mass extinction event.
Scientists at Northumbria University and University of Plymouth are developing medical guidelines for astronauts. A systematic review group will pool studies and create comprehensive guidelines that inform operational decisions. The guidelines aim to prevent health changes among astronauts, as well as benefiting terrestrial human health.
A rocky super-earth, LHS 1140b, has been discovered orbiting an M-type star in the habitable zone, making it a promising candidate for atmospheric study and search for life. The planet's size and mass indicate a rocky composition, and its distance from the star allows for relatively cool temperatures.
Researchers analyze amino acid stability under various extraterrestrial conditions, including temperature, pH, and radiation, to identify potential building blocks of alien life. The study aims to find structural characteristics that lead to higher stability in these conditions.
A study suggests that increasing women's access to education, reproductive health services, and contraceptive technologies is crucial for achieving sustainable development. Empowering women can help slow down population growth, reduce consumption of resources, and protect biodiversity.