Articles tagged with Planet Earth
Newly discovered cliffs on the moon indicate that it shrank globally in the geologically recent past and might still be shrinking. The cliffs, called lobate scarps, are relatively young and have a semi-circular or lobe-shaped appearance.
A new US survey reveals that many Americans underestimate the impact of switching to efficient technologies on saving energy. The study found that turning off lights is often cited as the best approach, despite its minimal effect, while more significant changes like buying efficient cars and appliances are underutilized.
IBEX maps reveal structured and intense interstellar boundary interactions; the spacecraft also collects hydrogen and oxygen from the interstellar medium, shedding light on solar system recycling processes. Recent observations of the Earth's magnetosphere provide new insights into protecting our atmosphere.
The IBEX spacecraft has mapped interactions between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere, revealing a chaotic pileup of charged particles along the magnetopause. The study provides new insights into the tenuous nature of Earth's outer exosphere and its interaction with the solar wind.
Scientists have discovered a new window into the Earth's violent past by analyzing geochemical evidence from volcanic rocks on Baffin Island. The study suggests that the primitive mantle, which dates back to just tens of millions of years after the Earth's formation, was already depleted in incompatible elements compared to chondrites.
The Gossamer Orbit Lowering Device (GOLD) uses a thin balloon envelope to increase drag, causing space junk to burn up and reducing natural orbit decay. This method is cost-effective, weighs less than propellant, and doesn't create new debris.
Asteroid '(101955) 1999 RQ36' has a 0.00054 chance of colliding with Earth in 2182, according to researchers who used the Monte Carlo Method and line of variations sampling models. The asteroid's orbit is influenced by the Yarkovsky effect, which slightly modifies its path.
Engineers at the University of Strathclyde have proven Dr. Robert L Forward's 1984 theory on improving satellite telecommunications by displacing geostationary orbits north or south of the equator. This achievement could lead to increased communications capacity and new Earth observation orbits.
Rochester Institute of Technology scientist Don Figer is developing a new detector technology that can directly image and characterize exoplanets, potentially finding smaller, rocky planets like Earth. This technology could reduce detection time by one-third and overcome current limitations.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have discovered water on the inside and outside of the moon, with similarities to volcanic systems on Earth. The finding challenges the long-held theory that the moon was bone-dry and has deep implications for its formation.
The New York Center for Astrobiology will expand its research with a new NASA grant, searching for the building blocks of life beyond Earth. Researchers study the chemical and physical conditions on Earth that gave birth to life and apply this information to search for similar conditions elsewhere in our solar system.
MESSENGER's third flyby of Mercury reveals evidence of younger volcanism, with the youngest basins yet seen, and new information about magnetic substorms. The spacecraft also observed emission from an ionized species in Mercury's thin atmosphere for the first time.
Researchers at the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory detected and dated Moon carbon in the form of graphite, which survived from the late heavy bombardment era 3.8 billion years ago. The discovery provides a record of the meteoritic carbon input to the Earth-Moon system when life was emerging on Earth.
Researchers at University of Arizona successfully created nitrogenated organic molecules in a laboratory setting that mimics Titan's atmosphere. The findings suggest that complex organic molecules could be present on Titan, potentially creating conditions conducive to life.
Researchers have discovered that many pulsar characteristics are linked due to an underlying cause. The study used observations of 366 pulsars collected over several decades and found that the magnetosphere switches back and forth between two different states.
A team of researchers proposes a chain of events linked to the melting of northern hemisphere ice sheets, which reconfigured planet's wind belts and led to rapid southern hemisphere warming. This shift triggered a series of cold spells in Greenland and Europe, but also amplified global warming by resetting the planet's thermostat.
The Deep Impact spacecraft will fly past Earth for the fifth and last time on its EPOXI mission, changing its orbit to boost speed on its way to comet Hartley 2. The spacecraft's instruments will be used during an extended flyby in November to gather data on the comet.
Scientists studying the Venus Express mission have found that Venus likely had oceans billions of years ago, but they were likely atmospheric and short-lived. The loss of water into space has left the planet's surface dry today.
Researchers have detected subatomic particles, known as geoneutrinos, which could help understand the Earth's internal heat and its impact on geological events like earthquakes and volcanoes. The discovery has significant implications for predicting such events in the future.
Scientists have developed a method to distinguish between primary and secondary organic carbon in ancient sediments, providing insights into the earliest life forms on Earth. By analyzing chemical fossils from Neoproterozoic glacial sediments, researchers have revealed new information about the environment and ecosystems of this period.
For the first time, a team of astronomers successfully studied a Kuiper Belt object during a stellar occultation, providing data to determine its size and albedo. The surface of the object is highly reflective, similar to snow and ice, suggesting it may be composed of water-ice particles.
A new study has uncovered a mysterious area beneath the deep ocean floor, providing insights into microbial life in this extreme environment. Researchers believe that this habitat could be one of the largest biological reservoirs on Earth, holding secrets to new species and metabolism.
A new CU-Boulder study provides further support for the idea of a sustained sea on Mars during the Noachian era, suggesting an ancient ocean likely covered about 36% of the planet. The research implies an Earth-like global hydrological cycle, including precipitation, runoff, cloud formation, and ice and groundwater accumulation.
A new study by CU-Boulder researchers suggests that the thick organic haze surrounding early Earth may have protected it from damaging ultraviolet radiation. The haze, composed of methane and nitrogen chemical byproducts, would have blocked UV light but allowed visible light to reach the surface. This finding has significant implicatio...
Computer modeling reveals that planets in habitable zones can fluctuate between life-supporting conditions and inhospitable temperatures due to giant neighbor's gravitational pull. This can cause drastic changes in a planet's orbit, potentially altering its geological properties over long timescales.
Researchers found that water and key volatiles may have been present in Earth's original building blocks, contradicting previous theories. The study suggests a complex accretion process for the planet, with volatile-rich material added in late stages of formation.
Scientists have found that volatile elements, including water, were present during the violent process of Earth's birth. The discovery, made using high precision equipment to measure Silver isotopes in rocks, suggests that comets and asteroids may not have brought significant amounts of volatile elements to Earth.
A rare weather station has recorded daily temperatures for 114 years, confirming a warming climate. The Mohonk Preserve's consistent temperature records show a rise of 2.63 degrees Fahrenheit, matching global measurements and tracking the expected land trend closely.
Researchers discovered water ice and organic molecules on asteroid 24 Themis, suggesting it may have delivered water to Earth 4 billion years ago. The findings support the theory that asteroids could have brought water to our planet after its formation.
Asteroid 24 Themis has been found to have a thin film of ice coating its surface, with complex, long-chained molecules detected as well. This suggests that water ice is abundant in the asteroid's interior and may be responsible for delivering water to Earth.
Scientists found 7,000 times less methane and plenty of carbon monoxide on GJ 436b, challenging standard chemistry theories about planetary atmospheres. The discovery suggests that scientists should be more flexible in their theories about similar planets.
Researchers investigating lunar reflector performance report decreased signal strength during full moon, suggesting dust may be a culprit. The issue arises from uneven heating of glass cubes left behind by Apollo astronauts, which distorts the shape of reflected laser pulses.
Scientists from NASA and the European Space Agency found evidence of relatively young lava flows on Venus, suggesting the planet remains capable of volcanic eruptions. These findings indicate that volcanic activity on Venus is likely gradual rather than cataclysmic.
Scientists found that ancient rocks from Greenland show evidence of a vast global ocean keeping water wet despite low solar energy. The team proposes that oceans absorb more sunlight due to their darker color and cloud formation, eliminating the need for high greenhouse gas levels.
A new monitoring system developed by RIT professor Roger Dube will predict space storms on Mars and provide early warnings for the critical infrastructure on Earth. The system uses artificial intelligence to recognize signs of a dangerous flux of particles, enabling at least three days' advanced warning for people living on both planets.
A University of Minnesota expert warns that the Earth's environment is approaching a critical threshold due to climate change, species loss, and nitrogen pollution. The expert calls for immediate action to transition to low-carbon energy sources and revolutionize agricultural practices.
A new study finds that the Greenland ice sheet is losing mass on its northwest coast, with uplift rates increasing by 1.5 inches from 2005 to 2009. This acceleration in ice loss suggests that glaciers are sliding downhill faster and dumping more ice in the ocean, contributing to global sea-level rise.
A new model, MORVEL, offers a marked improvement on previous work by estimating the relative movements of interlocking tectonic plates. The study provides precise rates of plate spreading along mid-ocean ridges and helps researchers understand surface processes like mountain-building and subsurface processes like mantle convection.
NASA scientists found a significant increase in UV radiation over the past three decades, particularly in mid-and-high latitudes, attributed to declining ozone levels and increased cloudiness in the southern hemisphere. Despite this, UV levels have stabilized since the mid-1990s, with some areas seeing minimal changes.
Researchers found that the Earth's magnetic field 3.5 billion years ago was weaker than today, making it easier for solar winds to strip away water from the early atmosphere. The stronger solar wind likely caused more polar aurora and reduced water vapor levels, with potential implications for modern-day water availability.
Scientists are expanding their search for extraterrestrial life by moving beyond traditional radio signals. Paul Davies suggests using various scientific methods to scrutinise the solar system and galaxy for signs of past or present cosmic company.
The massive planet WASP-12b is being torn apart by the gravitational forces of its host star, resulting in a 'death march' that explains its unusually large size. The research also suggests the presence of a super-Earth in the disk around the star.
A five-person team from the University of Washington assessed damage in Haiti after a magnitude-7 earthquake. The team found that much of the loss of human life could have been prevented by using earthquake-resistant designs and construction.
At the AAAS Meeting, Caltech researchers presented on various topics including linear colliders, climate change, and earthquake science. Caltech's Alice Huang will be installed as the next president of the AAAS. Researchers discussed the Second Law of Thermodynamics and its implications for our understanding of time.
A team of researchers led by Bruce Macintosh has won the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize for their groundbreaking discovery of multiple planets orbiting a distant star. The study, published in Science, provides new insights into the detection and characterization of exoplanets.
Researchers suggest a 400km-deep density trap formed due to unique geophysical conditions 3.5 billion years ago, trapping gases like helium and argon inside the planet.
A new study found that women overwhelmingly choose to read true stories about serial killings and random murders, whereas men are more likely to choose books about war or gang violence. Women prefer true crime stories over violent nonfiction because they provide information that could help them avoid potential attackers.
New data provides conclusive evidence that a link between the exploration well and the Lusi mud volcano was the trigger for the 2006 eruption. The scientists found five critical drilling errors that led to the disaster, including pulling the drill string out of an unstable hole without verifying a stable mud column.
A new study reveals that urban growth and agricultural exports are major drivers of tropical deforestation, contrary to previous assumptions. The study found that industrial-scale clearing in countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Cambodia is driven by demand for products like palm oil, soybeans, and meat.
Researchers analyzed images of ground motion before and after the January 12 earthquake, confirming that only the western half of a fault segment ruptured. The data suggests a significant risk of another major quake striking Port au Prince within the next 20-30 years.
The CU-Boulder Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) will measure rapid fluctuations in the sun's extreme ultraviolet output, affecting Earth's upper atmosphere and technology. Scientists hope to use this research to make better space weather predictions, predicting communications and navigation outages.
The US Green Building Council has awarded NASA's Exploration Sciences Building with the highest LEED Gold certification, recognizing its sustainable design and construction. The 200,000 sq ft building features nearly 60 laboratories and is the largest green building on Goddard's campus.
Carnegie scientists Kenneth Caldeira, Yingwei Fei and Steven Shirey have been elected AGU Fellows for their exceptional contributions to climate science, geological research and Earth sciences. Their work has significantly advanced scientific understanding of the internal structure of Earth and other planets.
Asteroids that come within a quarter of the distance between Earth and the moon experience seismic shakes strong enough to create fresh surface material. The finding helps answer decades-long questions about meteorite origins and opens a new field of asteroid seismology.
The European Space Agency's comet orbiter spacecraft Rosetta successfully tested the performance of its ultraviolet spectrometer Alice during a recent Earth flyby, revealing the Earth's unique ultraviolet spectral emission signature.
Researchers found that air flows in one direction through alligators' lungs, a trait shared with birds. This unidirectional airflow may have helped archosaurs dominate Earth after the Permian-Triassic extinction, which wiped out 70% of land life.
Astronomers have found a giant magnetic loop stretching from one star to the other in the Algol binary system. The discovery was made using an international collection of radio telescopes and helps explain previous observations at X-ray and radio wavelengths.
Astronomers from Caltech and other institutions have detected an extrasolar planet, HD 156668b, with a mass just four times that of Earth. The discovery highlights the potential for finding Earth-mass planets in the habitable zone, making it a promising lead in the search for life beyond our solar system.
A new simulation by researchers at the American Museum of Natural History and University of Cambridge shows that regions of outward and inward migration in a protoplanetary disk can safely trap planets on orbits. This helps explain how Earth formed without falling into the Sun.
Researchers discover CoRoT-7b, an earth-like planet, is believed to be the rocky remains of a Saturn-sized gas giant. Computer models reveal that the planet's mass loss and tidal migration led to its transformation.