Articles tagged with Planet Earth
Researchers from UCLA and international partners use a unique alignment of six spacecraft to measure the release of magnetic energy close to Earth. They discover that this energy is stored in Earth's magnetosphere and released through a process called magnetic reconnection, which powers Earth's auroras and radiation belts.
A team of MSL scientists analyzed a martian rock called Jake_M, which is highly enriched in sodium and potassium, making it chemically alkaline. The analysis suggests that parts of Mars may be more like Earth than previously thought, with the rock possibly forming from partial melting of rocks deep inside the planet.
Researchers analyzing Martian rocks using Curiosity rover's chemical instruments found a pyramid-shaped volcanic rock called a mugearite, similar to those on Earth. The discovery suggests the presence of water deep below Mars' surface, a crucial ingredient for life.
Scientists tracked energy from the sun to Earth's magnetosphere using eight NASA spacecraft, including ARTEMIS and THEMIS. The research provides insights into substorms and their impact on space weather, with energy flows lasting up to half an hour and covering areas 10 times larger than Earth.
A University of Missouri researcher has found evidence suggesting the Late Cretaceous Period was ice-free, despite initial thoughts of a continental ice sheet. The study uses fossilized shells to analyze oxygen and carbon isotope ratios, providing insights into past temperatures and environmental conditions.
A magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck deep beneath the Sea of Okhotsk, with seismic waves detected by thousands of stations worldwide. The event released three times as much energy as the next largest recorded earthquake and involved rapid shear faulting.
Researchers estimate Earth's habitable lifetime to be between 1.75 and 3.25 billion years, after which temperatures will become too high to support liquid water. This timeline suggests that complex life like humans may only emerge within a fraction of the planet's total habitable time.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have cracked a centuries-old puzzle about the Earth's core by linking inner-core superrotation to outer-core behavior. The study reveals that the planet spins faster in one direction due to its geomagnetic field, generating eastward motion and westward drift.
Scientists have conducted high-pressure experiments to study methane's phases and reactivity under conditions found deep within planets. The findings suggest that methane is not a solid under any conditions met deep within most planets, contradicting previous assumptions.
The CU-Boulder student-built DANDE satellite will investigate atmospheric density variations in the thermosphere, affecting satellite orbits and drag forces. Launched on Sept. 15, it will gather data for about one and a half years to improve models of the atmosphere.
Researchers found complex oxygen-rich compounds and polyethers in the Sutter's Mill meteorite, expanding our understanding of extraterrestrial organic molecules. The discovery suggests a greater availability of these molecules for molecular evolution and life on Earth.
A University of Tennessee professor helped discover that a near-Earth object is actually a comet, not an asteroid. The body, 3552 Don Quixote, contains water ice and has a coma and tail, suggesting it may be the source of Earth's water.
A new camera system, TextureCam, allows future Mars rovers to prioritize their scientific objectives and explore more distant worlds. The system uses machine learning algorithms to recognize rocks, sand, and sky in photos, enabling autonomous decision-making and increased autonomy.
A new study by Duke University and Microsoft Research identifies key regions worldwide that can contain the largest numbers of plant species. Protecting these regions may help preserve more than two-thirds of plant species.
Researchers from the University of Houston have discovered the largest single volcano ever documented on Earth, dubbed Tamu Massif, covering an area roughly equivalent to the British Isles. The volcano, located off the coast of Japan, is nearly as large as Mars' Olympus Mons and features a unique shield-like shape.
A joint Australian-German research team has created the highest-resolution maps of Earth's gravity field, showing variations up to 40 percent larger than previously assumed. The new maps were calculated at three billion points and will improve civil engineering projects such as building canals, bridges, and tunnels.
New research presents evidence suggesting that life may have originated on Mars and was brought to Earth via a Martian meteorite. The study tackles two paradoxes related to the origin of life on Earth, including the 'tar paradox' and the difficulty in starting life due to water coverage.
Research on Chelyabinsk meteorite fragments reveals evidence of intensive melting process, likely caused by a collision or proximity to the Sun. The dark fragments contain spherical 'bubbles' and platinum group elements, which are unusual for their formation time period.
A recent CME sent billions of particles into space, reaching Earth in one to three days, potentially causing geomagnetic storms and disruptions to communication signals and power grids.
A coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth on August 20, 2013, affecting satellite systems and power grids. The CME's magnetic fields altered the shape of Earth's magnetosphere, causing geomagnetic storms that can degrade communication signals.
Researchers used a new electron microscopy method to study high-pressure samples of carbon, detecting unexpected atom types and locations within minerals. The findings explain how large amounts of carbon reside in the Earth's interior, addressing a long-standing problem.
Researchers used computer simulations to demonstrate that ice-age/warm-period interchange depends on the alternating influence of continental ice sheets and climate. The team found that large-scale glaciation alters sea levels and ocean currents, affecting the climate.
The TESS mission will map the locations of over 500 transiting exoplanets, including small planets around bright stars. This is the first time NASA has studied a large number of small planets with advanced instruments.
A novel theory, proposed by Michael Russell and colleagues, suggests that life arose from geochemical processes, including serpentinization, which produced essential components for life. This theory could provide insights into the origins of life and potentially shed light on its existence elsewhere in the universe.
Researchers found a lower thermal radiation threshold for the runaway greenhouse process, making it easier to initiate than previously thought. This could lead to a revised understanding of the habitable zone and potentially revoke candidacy for some planets as possible habitable worlds.
Scientists have identified an internal electron accelerator operating within the Van Allen radiation belts, causing sudden and unpredictable changes. The research paves the way for predicting hazardous space weather and preparing satellite operators for intense space storms.
Researchers investigate the solid Earth's influence on sea level changes, divergent geologic histories in North America, and 'ghost glaciers' in Greenland. The study also examines the Picuris Orogeny in New Mexico and the Cryogenian Perry Canyon Formation in Utah.
Scientists have advanced knowledge of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts by determining that electrons can gain energy inside the belts. The researchers used NASA's twin Van Allen Probes mission satellites to examine two possibilities and found that local acceleration occurs in the heart of the radiation belts.
Two University of Iowa researchers have answered a long-standing question about the Earth's Van Allen radiation belts. They found that electrons can gain energy inside the belts through local acceleration in the heart of the radiation belts. The discovery was made using measurements from NASA's twin Van Allen Probes mission satellites.
Scientists discovered a massive particle accelerator in the heart of the Van Allen radiation belts using NASA's Van Allen Probes mission. The acceleration energy is found within the belts themselves, helping to improve predictions of space weather and satellite safety.
A Western University-led team of geologists has solved the long-standing puzzle of the Martian meteorite age by directing energy beams at tiny crystals found in a Martian meteorite. The team discovered that the most common group of meteorites from Mars is almost 4 billion years younger than previously believed.
Researchers discovered that bacteria and algae played a crucial role in the disappearance of coral-stromatoporoid reefs before 370 Ma, leading to insights into modern coral bleaching. This study sheds light on the devastating impact of blooming bacteria and algae on ancient reef ecosystems.
Scientists have captured the first direct images of a snow line in an infant solar system, revealing its role in forming planets. The study uses radio-wavelength images from the Atacama Larger Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope to show a carbon monoxide snow line around TW Hydrae, 175 light-years away.
Researchers at MIT have identified a hidden reservoir of lead-laden rocks in the Earth's mantle, which would make the planet's composition more similar to meteorites. This discovery could help explain the Earth's origins and provide insights into its evolution through history.
The Geological Society of America recognized Steven M. Stanley, Richard W. Carlson, and Naomi E. Levin for their groundbreaking research in geology and earth sciences at the 2013 Annual Meeting & Exposition. The winners received prestigious medals, including the Penrose Medal and the Young Scientist Award.
A CME passed Earth on July 16, 2013, causing a geomagnetic storm that can degrade communication signals and cause electrical surges in power grids. The event was predicted by NASA research models and may also affect the Messenger and Juno spacecraft.
Scientists have observed magnetic reconnection at the heart of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can affect satellites near Earth. The high-quality data from NASA's SDO and RHESSI spacecraft reveals a complex process involving charged particles, magnetic field lines, and plasma.
A powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun has been directed towards Earth and Mercury, posing a risk to electronic systems and communication signals. The CME's magnetic fields can cause geomagnetic storms, potentially leading to aurora displays.
Researchers used sophisticated three-dimensional climate models to solve the 'faint young sun paradox,' explaining how early Earth remained habitable despite a 20% dimmer sun. Moderate greenhouse gas inventories, including 20,000 ppm of CO2 and 1,000 ppm of methane, may have sustained liquid water and primitive life.
Researchers used the Hubble Space Telescope to measure alpha, the fine-structure constant, on a white dwarf star. They found no significant variation in alpha near the star and compared it with laboratory measurements.
Astronomer Diana Dragomir reveals the hidden identity of super-Earth HD 97658b, measuring its size and mass for the first time. The exoplanet's density suggests a thick atmosphere, but it orbits too close to its star to support liquid water oceans.
Two university researchers argue that NASA's Planetary Protection protocols are overly restrictive and expensive, making missions to search for life on Mars unviable. They suggest revising policies to prioritize impact on planetary exploration while minimizing costs.
Astronomers found two planets smaller than Neptune orbiting Sun-like stars in the dense star cluster NGC 6811. The discovery shows that planets can form and survive even in crowded clusters.
An international team of astronomers has detected six to seven planets around the nearby star GJ667C, including three 'super-Earths' in its habitable zone. This is the first time that so many super-Earths have been found in a single system. The discovery provides insight into the possibility of life on these potentially rocky planets.
The TWINS mission has provided three-dimensional images and global characterization of the magnetosphere, tracking how it responds to space weather storms. The stereo imaging has revealed details on ion movement and escape patterns, helping scientists understand the ring current's behavior.
A June 20, 2013, solar eruption sent billions of tons of particles into space, potentially affecting electronic systems on satellites and the ground. The event, known as a geomagnetic storm, can cause aurora and degrade communication signals.
Scientists are launching a sounding rocket to study the dynamo, a global electrical current sweeping through the ionosphere. The mission will provide insights into the movement of charged particles and neutral winds, crucial for understanding the dynamo's impact on radio signals and potential presence on other planets.
Researchers at University of Southampton propose control system that stabilises environmental conditions when life is affected by and alters its environment. This mechanism has been neglected until now, but could be applicable to various real-world systems.
The 2011 Draconid meteor shower deposited a large amount of meteoritic material on Earth, including fragments that may have formed from the comet Giacobini-Zinner. Researchers analyzed six fireballs and found they had a possible similar composition to carbonaceous chondrites.
Astronomers have discovered a crescent-shaped structure, known as a dust trap, around a young solar system in the constellation Ophiuchus. The researchers speculate that this feature enables dust particles to cling together, setting the stage for the formation of larger objects.
Researchers aim to discover planets with conditions suitable for life by detecting faint dust clouds around nearby stars. The new technology will improve the odds of finding Earth-like planets with liquid water on their surface.
Comet impacts are thought to have delivered massive amounts of organics to early Earth, which could have led to the formation of life. The study found that moderate shock pressures and temperatures produced nitrogen-containing heterocycles, while higher conditions resulted in methane and formaldehyde.
Researchers found tiny bubbles of ancient water in Australian quartz grains with different argon isotope ratios than today. This suggests that the energy from the Sun was not enough to freeze all water on Earth until 2.5 billion years ago, leading to the first ice age.
The Cat's Paw Nebula is forming stars at an unprecedented rate of 200,000 suns' worth of material, with over 2,000 extremely young and still trapped inside their dusty cocoons. The cause of this 'mini-starburst' remains unclear, but its proximity to Earth makes it an ideal target for detailed study.
Researchers found pebbles and sand with roundness similar to river stones, suggesting a river once flowed on Mars. The discovery provides strong evidence for the planet's past habitability.
Astronomers used Hubble to observe light from the close double-star system T Pyxidis during its latest outburst in April 2011. The team assembled a 3-D map of the structure around the nova, revealing a disk-shaped debris disk populated with fast-moving ejecta.
Researchers discovered reactive phosphorus in early Archean limestone, providing evidence that meteorites delivered phosphorus necessary for early life forms. The team found that meteorite phosphorus could generate phosphorus biomolecules identical to those seen in life today.
New study using VLBA reveals Local Arm is a significant branch of the Perseus Arm or an independent arm segment. The research uses parallax method to accurately measure distances and space motions.
Astronomers have two opportunities to detect planets around Proxima Centauri using a rare stellar alignment. The closest encounters in October 2014 and February 2016 will allow scientists to measure the mass of the red dwarf, which could indicate the presence of smaller terrestrial planets.
Researchers have found rounded pebbles on Mars that indicate flowing water, with sizes between 4-40mm. The findings suggest a prolonged warm period with flowing streams and a denser atmosphere, potentially making Mars habitable for microbial life.