Articles tagged with Planet Earth
Scientists discover hydrogen gas being stripped from Venus' day-side, indicating water is being broken up in the atmosphere. The loss of hydrogen and oxygen suggests that water on Venus was once abundant but has since been depleted.
Researchers have found that the alignment of the sun's magnetic field with Earth's shields our planet from solar particles. The discovery could be used to predict when solar storms will be severe, and is expected to impact power lines and spacecraft.
A University of Colorado at Boulder study reveals that periodic 'breathing' of the Earth's upper atmosphere is triggered by cyclic solar wind disturbances, which can alter satellite drag and cause communication disruptions. The findings should improve models for tracking satellites and predicting electronic communication issues.
Researchers have discovered two giant plumes of hot rock deep within the earth linked to plate motions that shape the continents. The superplumes, one beneath Hawaii and the other beneath Africa, are surrounded by a wall of plates from Earth's crust that have sunk into the mantle.
A CU-Boulder study suggests a single plume of hot material drove the migration of volcanic activity on Mars. The theory, proposed by Shijie Zhong, explains how the Tharsis Rise region formed and how the Crustal Dichotomy's crust moved relative to the underlying mantle.
NASA instruments have observed the boundary between the Earth's upper atmosphere and space has moved to extraordinarily low altitudes, with measurements taken by the Coupled Ion Neutral Dynamics Investigation (CINDI) instrument suite on an Air Force satellite.
Researchers are exploring the possibility of life on giant, cold planets called Super-Earths that could harbor a liquid ocean beneath their icy surface. The team uses a novel approach involving gravitational microlensing to detect these potentially habitable worlds.
A team of scientists has discovered a new region of the magnetosphere known as the warm plasma cloak, which affects Earth's space environment. This invisible shield is fed by low-energy charged particles and can impact our daily lives, causing power surges, disrupting radio transmissions, and damaging satellites.
Astronomers have discovered carbon dioxide on a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting another star, HD 189733b. The detection is significant as it could be a sign of biological activity, and further studies will focus on characterizing the planet's atmosphere to determine its habitability.
A research team led by Purdue Professor Eric Calais has captured the first recorded event of a 'dyking' process that breaks apart tectonic plates and weaks the Earth's lithosphere. This process, previously only theorized, can lead to the formation of oceans and continents.
Researchers used a new technique to measure the precise size of WASP-10b, a planet thought to have an unusually large diameter. The team's use of the OPTIC camera resulted in a finding that the planet is one of the densest known, rather than bloated.
Ariel Anbar's research focuses on how changes in ocean element abundances influenced life, ecosystems, and evolution on Earth. He examines sedimentary rocks to infer past ocean compositions and investigates the role of essential nutrients like iron, sulfur, and copper.
Researchers at Caltech identified layered rock outcrops on Mars indicating regular climate change due to planetary tilt variations. The layers suggest that Mars experienced cyclical climate changes similar to those on Earth, which were driven by variations in the planet's obliquity.
Scientists study Venus' atmosphere using instruments on board ESA's Venus Express, discovering high-contrast zones created by a mysterious chemical that absorbs ultraviolet light. Clouds are found at similar heights across dark and bright regions, with temperature variations influencing atmospheric dynamics.
UK scientists claim ancient Earth never froze completely during the Cryogenian Period due to carbon dioxide's insulating effect. This contradicts the Snowball Earth hypothesis, which suggests a fully frozen planet.
Research published in AGU journals reveals a significant decrease in Saharan dust due to increased rainfall, boosting ocean heating. The coastal Southern Ocean also acts as a powerful carbon sink, with Antarctic shelf waters showing high biological productivity and extensive winter sea ice cover.
New research by UCLA geochemists suggests that plate tectonics began more than 4 billion years ago, with ancient mineral grains indicating low heat flow and water presence on Earth during its first 500 million years.
The New York Center for Astrobiology will investigate the origins of life on Earth and conditions that lead to habitable planets. Researchers aim to detect evidence of current or past life on Mars, building on NASA missions.
The NSF CubeSat program represents a new 'low cost access to space' approach to performing high-quality science. Firefly will explore the relationship between lightning and Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes (TGFs), with potential implications for understanding Earth's upper atmosphere and near-Earth space environment.
Scientists found that up to two thirds of minerals are biologically mediated, driven by oxygen-rich atmosphere and life's presence. Plate tectonics boosted mineral diversity, creating new environments for mineral formation.
The new solar system orbits a dusty young star named HR8799, with three planets roughly 10 times the mass of Jupiter. The discovery allows scientists to study planets as individuals, providing insights into their atmospheres and composition.
Gemini Observatory's groundbreaking discovery reveals two planets orbiting a young, massive star called HR 8799. The system consists of three planets, including the 'first family' member, which are still glowing from heat released as they contracted, and are about seven and ten times the mass of Jupiter.
A type of rock called peridotite reacts naturally with CO2 to form solid minerals at surprisingly high rates. The process could be sped up by drilling and injecting heated water containing pressurized CO2, potentially capturing large amounts of atmospheric carbon.
The Lancet Editorial highlights China's health system reform as a starting point for broader dialogue on wellbeing. Key challenges include human rights, freedom of expression, Tibet, and Taiwan.
Researchers from the University of Granada and University of Valencia have confirmed natural electric activity in Titan's atmosphere using data from the Huygens probe. This discovery increases the likelihood of organic molecules forming on Titan, which could be precursors to life.
A $900,000 Google grant will aid the International Research Institute for Climate and Society in predicting disease outbreaks in Ethiopia, a high-risk area for malaria and meningitis. The project aims to develop disease-mapping tools using climate data and improve early-warning systems.
Walter Alvarez, a maverick geologist, has won the prestigious Vetlesen Prize for his groundbreaking work on the link between a massive comet impact and the extinction of dinosaurs. His research, conducted over several decades, challenged conventional wisdom and revealed that life on Earth is affected by cosmic interactions.
Researchers reanalyzed Stanley Miller's classic origin of life experiment to determine if chemical compounds could be detected using modern equipment. They found that a modern day version of the volcanic apparatus produces a wider variety of compounds, including 22 previously unidentified amino acids.
A new study analyzing historic samples from a classic origin-of-life experiment by NASA and university researchers found 22 amino acids, 10 of which were never seen before. The team discovered that volcanic eruptions could provide the necessary chemistry for life to emerge.
A classic Miller-Urey Synthesis experiment produced fewer organic molecules than its unpublished sibling study. The reanalyzed vials from the latter experiment revealed a wider variety of amino acids and amines.
Classic experiments from 1953 may have simulated steam from volcanic eruptions, producing varied mixtures of organic compounds. This discovery points to the possible contribution of volcanism to life's beginning on Earth.
Scientists have discovered a 10,000-year-old stellar corpse that only pulses in gamma rays, providing fundamental insights into the behavior of collapsed stars. The pulsar, located about 4,600 light-years away, emits 1,000 times the energy of our sun and is thought to be part of a larger population of similar objects.
A new MIT study suggests that young, hot planets like Earth could stay hotter for millions of years, making them detectable by current telescopes. This extended molten surface would increase the brightness of the planet in infrared light, reducing the contrast with its star and allowing for easier detection.
The new five-year grant from NASA's Astrobiology Institute will focus on developing indicators of life, including analyzing cells, metals, and DNA. The team will search for microbial life in extreme locations on Earth and study ancient rocks for signs of past life.
Researchers used NASA's Thunderhead supercomputer to simulate dusty disks around sunlike stars, finding that planets as small as Mars can create detectable ring structures. The models provide a way to infer a planet's mass and orbital distance based on dust particle simulations.
NASA scientists uncrated an Apollo-era heat shield to analyze its design and thermal response, providing valuable insights for the development of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle's Thermal Protection System. The study aims to improve the vehicle's heat protection capabilities, enabling it to safely carry crews to the moon and beyond.
The Arizona State University team will focus on characterizing life's elemental requirements, moving beyond water and energy as criteria for the search. This approach aims to identify more habitable worlds within our solar system and beyond.
Researchers at Queen's University are developing a new robotic system to service distant satellites with ailing mechanical systems. The Autonomous Space Servicing Vehicle (ASSV) uses tracking software and LIDAR technology to grasp and repair satellites in real-time, overcoming the limitations of manned space flight.
Scientists using Spitzer data have identified the precise event that produces the echo we see, revealing the supernova's first flash. The hot spots near the shattered remains of an exploded star are echoing the blast's first moments, powered by radiation from the supernova shock wave.
The NASA Glory mission aims to measure airborne particles more accurately from space, shedding light on the aerosol effect on climate change. Participants can send their names on a microchip that becomes part of the spacecraft, with a deadline for submission set for Nov. 1, 2008.
McGill researchers have found the oldest rocks on Earth, dating back to around 4.28 billion years ago. The discovery provides new insights into the early separation of Earth's mantle and crust, shedding light on the planet's mysterious beginnings.
Researchers at the Carnegie Institution have discovered Canadian bedrock over four billion years old, making it 250 million years more ancient than previously discovered rocks. The findings provide crucial clues to the earliest stages of our planet's evolution and chemical composition similar to volcanic rocks in geologic settings.
Researchers used simulations to determine ice VII's melting temperature in high-pressure conditions, finding a molecular solid phase below 450,000 atmospheres and a superionic solid phase above. This discovery opens up possibilities for water existing as a solid in Neptune, Uranus, and Earth's deep interiors.
Richard Garriott will use special software 'Windows on Earth' to identify targets for scientific research and educational exploration during his trip to the International Space Station. The software, developed by TERC and the Association of Space Explorers, simulates a realistic view of the Earth from space.
Researchers found that excessive groundwater withdrawal in Iran has led to significant land subsidence, causing destruction of aquifers. The study also suggests that future climate change will exacerbate this issue, highlighting the need for effective water resource management.
University of Utah engineers have developed a new way to slice thin wafers of germanium for use in high-efficiency solar cells. The new method, wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM), reduces waste and breakage of the brittle semiconductor, making it more economical to produce such cells.
Astronomers have observed the most detailed picture of a gamma-ray burst, detected by NASA's Swift satellite on March 19. The burst was so bright it became visible to human eyes and provided insights into the universe's most luminous explosions.
The brightest gamma-ray burst, GRB 080319B, provided a wealth of information on how stars explode. The team discovered that the jet directed towards Earth contained an ultra-fast component just 0.4 degrees across.
Researchers found significant geological stress increase on three major fault systems in China's Sichuan province after the May 12, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The stress brought nearby faults closer to failure and increased the probability of another major earthquake in the region.
Scientists use frequency comb to determine starlight color with high accuracy, allowing them to measure velocity changes of astronomical bodies with precision. This method could help search for Earth-like planets and test universe expansion acceleration.
The new calibration system uses a Nobel Prize-winning technology to create an extremely precise 'ruler' for spectrographs. This will enable astronomers to accurately measure the velocities of stars and galaxies, search for planets around other stars, and study the expansion of the Universe.
A team of researchers has discovered a slow earthquake triggered by the 2007 dike intrusion at Kilauea Volcano, demonstrating the connection between magmatism and earthquake faulting. The study used satellite and GPS data to track the movement of magma and show how it triggered the slow earthquake on Kilauea's south flank.
Researchers are investigating SEP transport in 3D heliospheric magnetic fields to understand why some events occur without magnetic connection to the Sun. The goal is to assess cross-field diffusion's role in charged particle transport.
The OneGeology project has successfully created the world's first digital geological map, providing a global overview of the planet's rocks. This achievement enables nations to share data, access maps, and gain insights into natural resources and geohazards.
Scientists have identified the mechanism that triggers substorms in space, which wreaks havoc on satellites and power grids, according to UCLA professor Vassilis Angelopoulos. The THEMIS mission provided evidence that magnetic reconnection is the trigger for these spectacular brightening events.
A new study reveals that Amazon River's nutrient-rich outflow supports unexpected plant life, trapping atmospheric carbon dioxide. The discovery may alter climate scientists' calculations and suggest alternative sinks for CO2.
A new study suggests that undersea volcanic rocks could be used to store huge amounts of carbon dioxide, potentially capturing up to 150 years of U.S. emissions. Scientists have identified a vast basalt formation off the West Coast that could be suitable for carbon sequestration through natural chemical reactions.
A Brown University-led research team has found evidence of water trapped in lunar volcanic glasses, suggesting it was present since the Moon's formation around 4.5 billion years ago. The discovery may shed light on the origin of water on Earth and its presence in the Moon's interior.
Goddard is launching multiple space missions in the upcoming year, focusing on upgrading the famous Hubble Space Telescope and studying powerful gamma-rays. The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) will also make global observations of the region beyond the termination shock, exploring the galactic frontier.
A new analysis of the devastating May 12 earthquake in China found that it resulted from faults with little seismic activity. The quake occurred at a boundary between two tectonic plates and was caused by the obstruction of rapidly flowing crustal material, leading to a simultaneous rupture of two separate but contiguous faults.