Articles tagged with Planet Earth
Researchers propose astrophysical explanation for discrepancies between molecular clock and fossil record, suggesting increased cosmic radiation accelerated mutation rates. The hypothesis predicts that organisms in deeper ocean layers will show less disparity between the two methods.
The James Webb Space Telescope has received its first mirror installation, with 18 primary mirror segments scheduled to be installed by early next year. The mirrors are made of ultra-lightweight beryllium and must remain precisely aligned in space for successful science investigations.
Researchers at Arizona State University propose a model of mantle dynamics involving plumes that transport chemically distinct material to the surface, explaining variability in ocean island basalts. This study provides insights into Earth's interior composition and evolution, as well as potential links to habitable planet formation.
A global climate shift occurred in the late 1980s, triggered by anthropogenic warming and a volcanic eruption, resulting in significant changes in Earth's biophysical systems. The study found a 60% increase in winter river flow and a 400% increase in wildfires in the Western United States.
Researchers found that a deep-seated slab beneath Peru's Nazca Plate deforms easily during subduction, weakening its internal structure. The study sheds new light on the behavior of oceanic slabs in the Earth's interior.
A new MIT study found that Earth's geomagnetic field intensity is double the long-term historical average, indicating it has a long way to fall before reaching an unstable level. This suggests that the current field intensity has a long buffer zone, making a reversal less likely in the near future.
Scientists found evidence of O2 fluctuations in Western Australian rocks, suggesting a temporary increase in atmospheric oxygen levels around 2.5 billion years ago. The data supports the 'Great Oxidation Event' theory, where multiple 'whiffs' of O2 accumulated until a tipping point was crossed.
The Andes mountain chain was formed 14 million years ago, according to new research from the University of Bristol. The study used a novel method based on cosmic rays to determine the age of large boulders in the western margin of the Andes.
A new study suggests that vast quantities of radiation from superflaring Red Dwarf stars like Kepler-438 can strip away an atmosphere and make a planet uninhabitable. The energy released by each superflare is equivalent to 100 billion megatons of TNT, posing a significant threat to life on Earth-like planets.
Researchers have discovered thousands of stellar pulses in the galaxy Messier 87 (M87), providing a new method for calculating a galaxy's age. The pulsations are caused by bright, pulsating stars that were previously unknown to affect distant galaxies' light.
A team from ASU and UNC aims to resolve uncertainties in the nuclear fusion process that creates elements forged by stars. They will investigate the range of elements produced by a star, including calcium and carbon, to determine their variation in output.
Scientists estimate nearly 23 million cubic kilometres of total groundwater, with most modern groundwater found in tropical and mountain regions. The study highlights the need to manage this precious resource sustainably due to increasing demand and climate change.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have created the first ever weather map of a planet outside our solar system, revealing wind speeds of over 2km per second. The winds on exoplanet HD 189733b are 20 times faster than the fastest recorded on Earth.
Researchers found that a fractal hydrocarbon haze on early Earth could have resulted in a moderate, possibly habitable average global temperature. The haze also would have absorbed ultraviolet light, shielding the planet from deadly radiation.
Scientists have detected a monstrous new cloud of frozen compounds in the moon's low- to mid-stratosphere, peaking at an altitude of about 124 miles. This discovery provides insight into the nature and severity of Titan's winter, which is expected to be harsher than its northern counterpart.
Analysis of Baffin Island lava flows provides new insights into Earth's water origins, suggesting water-soaked dust grains present early in the solar system may be the source. The study found lower deuterium levels than previous studies, providing a potential baseline for Earth's original water signature.
The discovery of GJ 1132b, a rocky planet orbiting a red dwarf star, has sparked excitement among astronomers. With temperatures potentially conducive to hosting an atmosphere, this planet is close enough (39 light-years away) to be studied in detail with the Hubble Space Telescope and future observatories.
The discovery of GJ 1132b, an Earth-size exoplanet located just 39 light-years away from our Solar System, is a significant milestone in the search for alien life. The planet's proximity to its star and size make it an ideal laboratory for studying small, potentially livable worlds.
Researchers at FAU found that global warming in Earth's history occurred at a similar rate to today. The team analyzed climate changes over the past 250 million years and discovered that rapid fluctuations were invisible but not absent. Current temperature increases appear slower due to longer observation periods.
Scientists have discovered a new exoplanet, GJ 1132b, that is rocky and Earth-sized, orbiting a small star just 39 light-years from Earth. The planet's surface temperature is estimated to be around 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making it uninhabitable for life as we know it.
A team of scientists has mapped the mantle under the Juan de Fuca plate, a key step in understanding the forces behind large earthquakes and tsunamis. The map reveals segmentation of the subduction zone, which could help explain why Pacific Northwest megaquakes don't always break along the entire length.
Planetary scientist Shoshanna Cole discovered signs of acid fog on Mars, which formed when acidic vapors dissolved minerals and created gel-like cement. The phenomenon was observed in the Watchtower Class outcrops on Husband Hill, indicating a change in the environment billions of years ago.
Recent studies by Michael Hippke and Daniel Angerhausen predict that upcoming missions like TESS and PLATO will uncover planetary moons, ringed worlds similar to Saturn, and large collections of asteroids. These discoveries could provide insights into alien planetary systems similar to our own.
Scientists developed a model that estimates the thickness of Earth's 'critical zone' given topography, gravity, and plate tectonics. The results show that bedrock weathering varies with tectonic compression, influencing the diversity of terrestrial life.
Scientists have simulated 3D exotic clouds on GJ1214b, an exoplanet with a flat spectrum that indicates high-altitude clouds or haze in its atmosphere. The clouds could be of salt and are thought to form deep in the atmosphere before rising into the upper atmosphere.
Using historical intensity data from Japan, researchers found that uniform and randomized versions of earthquake hazard maps outperform published maps in predicting shaking. The study aims to provide a more accurate understanding of how these maps work and their limitations.
A NASA team analyzed seven Apollo samples and found amino acids at low concentrations, likely from terrestrial sources. Isotopic analysis and molecular orientation revealed a stronger connection to Earth than previously thought, ruling out the solar wind and lunar module exhaust as sources.
A national effort is proposed to understand and harness the capabilities of Earth's microbial ecosystems. The Unified Microbiome Initiative aims to decipher how microbes interact with each other, their hosts and environment, leading to new antibiotics, obesity-fighting methods, drought-resistant crops and next-gen biofuels.
Researchers used a new process to model planetary formation, showing that rocky planets grow from pebbles, resulting in the massive differences between Earth and Mars. The VSPA model explains why Mars is smaller than expected by suggesting that aerodynamic drag prevents pebbles from colliding with objects near the Red Planet.
A new theoretical study suggests that only eight percent of potentially habitable planets will ever form in the universe, while the bulk of those planets - 92 percent - have yet to be born. This conclusion is based on an assessment of data collected by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Kepler space observatory.
A UCLA-led research team discovered life likely existed on Earth at least 4.1 billion years ago, 300 million years earlier than previously thought. The study suggests that life may have begun shortly after the planet formed and could be abundant in the universe.
NASA has launched a new website featuring daily color images of Earth taken by the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) EPIC camera, providing insights into global variations in vegetation, ozone, and cloud height. The images are available for public viewing on the NASA website.
Researchers cast doubt on lunar impact date methods by analyzing meteorite-impact zircons, suggesting contextual information loss upon separation from host rocks. This may affect our understanding of the late heavy bombardment on the young Moon, which could influence life's emergence timeline.
A recent study reveals that large solar storms can go undetected by current indices, which could lead to significant disruptions in power supply and communication networks. The researchers developed a new Local Disturbance index for Spain (LDiñ) to accurately assess geomagnetic perturbations in the region.
The Geological Society of America is hosting a special session on the Nepal earthquake, bringing together scientists to discuss recovery and forecasting. Researchers are using various techniques, including GPS measurements, to gain insights into the region's tectonics and develop more accurate predictions for future earthquakes.
A new MIT study proposes refueling on the moon to reduce launch mass for a Martian mission, with the potential to save 68% of cargo. The research suggests that establishing an infrastructure in space could enable sustainable travel between planetary bodies.
A new method developed by Penn researchers can quantify the transport distance of river pebbles from their shape alone, providing evidence for an extensive river system on Mars. The study suggests that Martian pebbles traveled around 30 miles from their source, offering insights into the planet's geological history and potential for life.
A new mathematical model developed by University of Illinois physicists suggests that homochirality can be used as a universal biosignature. The model, based on self-replication and disequilibrium, shows that homochirality appears when self-replication is efficient enough.
A University of Southampton study suggests that an abrupt collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) could lead to cooling, rather than warming, for a period of 20 years. Global warming would continue after this initial cooling, with a globally averaged temperature offset of about 0.8°C.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a method for chemically separating rare earth elements, such as neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium, from the drive units of discarded electric and hybrid vehicles. This technology has the potential to reduce the United States' dependence on China for these vital materials.
A study analyzing fossil brachiopod shells from West Virginia and Ohio found minimal seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall during the latest Pennsylvanian (~300 million years ago). The findings may help resolve a paleoclimate debate about monsoonality and sea level, providing insights into ancient mega-continent climates.
Scientists used UAF's Parallel Ice Sheet Model to estimate the impact of fossil fuels on Antarctica's ice sheet. The study found that releasing 10,000 gigatons of carbon could raise global temps by 20 degrees Fahrenheit, melting the Antarctic ice sheet and causing sea levels to rise by over 160 feet.
UBC researchers propose a new way to calculate cosmological distances using fast radio bursts, allowing the positioning of distant galaxies in three dimensions and mapping out the cosmos. The method uses the delay between arrival times of different frequencies to create a catalogue of galaxies.
Researchers using NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter images discovered thousands of faults on the lunar surface influenced by Earth's gravity, reshaping them. The moon is shrinking due to cooling interior, but tidal forces from Earth also play a role in forming and realigning these faults.
Scientists at NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) have captured the rare alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth. During this event, a partial solar eclipse was visible from parts of Africa and Antarctica, providing a unique opportunity to study the effects of these celestial alignments.
A Ph.D. student at the University of Houston is studying calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions from the Allende meteorite to understand when the solar system formed. By analyzing the age of these inclusions, he can gain insight into the timing and nature of early solar system processes.
The study estimates that there are over 3 trillion trees on Earth, with the total number of trees having plummeted by roughly 46% since the start of human civilization. The research provides new insights into tree populations worldwide and offers improvements to modeling large-scale systems, including carbon cycling and climate change.
Researchers found that magnesium oxide can react with oxygen under high-pressure conditions, potentially leading to the formation of magnesium peroxide in rocky planets outside our Solar System. This suggests that the interiors of these planets may have a different chemical composition than Earth's mantle.
The Antineutrino Global Map 2015 offers new insights into the Earth's interior and reveals information about the planet's heat sources and geodynamics. The map provides a new tool for basic science research and nuclear nonproliferation efforts.
A team of geologists and physicists has generated the world's first global map of antineutrino emissions, which provides an important baseline image of the energy budget of Earth's interior. The map reveals that natural sources accounted for less than 1 percent of detected antineutrinos, highlighting human-made radioactivity.
Researchers found a thin layer of oxygen in Lake Fryxell, Antarctica, which could be a modern replica of ancient oxygen oases. This discovery sheds light on the Great Oxidation Event, a major turning point in Earth's history when oxygen became more prevalent.
A new study proposes that if life can travel between stars through panspermia, it would spread in a characteristic pattern, creating clusters of life-forms. These clusters could resemble bubbles in a pot of boiling water, growing and overlapping with each other.
A new hypothesis suggests that large bolides pierced early thin lithosphere, causing massive partial melting and forming cratonic crust. This process is thought to have occurred on a Venus-like Earth, which preserved a more complete geological record of its infancy.
Researchers explore Earth's most extreme lifeforms to predict what life could be like elsewhere in the universe. They suggest water-hydrogen peroxide mixtures for Mars-like environments and liquid hydrocarbons for Titan-like planets, with organisms adapting to frigid temperatures and slow metabolisms.
The geosciences are becoming more inclusive, thanks to initiatives like the first fully accessible field trip in 2014. Researchers found that focusing on students' abilities rather than challenges can create a rewarding experience for all. The American Geosciences Institute is promoting this approach through its efforts.
Scientists from Brown University and Carnegie Institution for Science have identified the volatile gas that drove lunar fire fountain eruptions, a type of eruption that occurs frequently in Hawaii. The gas is found to be carbon monoxide (CO), which combined with oxygen to form, responsible for the fire fountains that sprayed volcanic g...
Researchers found that comet impacts can synthesize peptides, the first building blocks of life, under cold conditions. This suggests that comet impacts played a crucial role in delivering life's seeds to early Earth.
A new study finds that smaller-scale space weather events are amplified near the equator, putting power grids at risk in previously considered safe regions. These disturbances can cause fluctuations in wholesale electricity pricing and damage unprotected power infrastructure.
Researchers found that a slight deflection in natural gravity at Greenwich causes the offset. The study's findings confirm that newer technologies like GPS have replaced traditional methods of determining longitude.
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire's Space Science Center use MESSENGER spacecraft data to investigate interplanetary coronal mass ejections, improving space weather prediction capabilities. The study sheds light on the speed and deceleration of ICMEs after their launch from the sun.