Articles tagged with Planet Earth
Recent research published in July 2008 Geology and GSA Today sheds new light on geological phenomena around the world. The study of ghostly lithospheres past reveals insights into southern Africa's volcanic rocks and Scotland's ancient sandstones, while another paper explores Wyoming's badlands and their ancient mammal fossils.
Researchers analyze sodium content of grains from the Semarkona meteorite, finding higher-than-expected levels that contradict previous models. The discovery suggests dust clouds were denser than thought, leading to a new understanding of the solar system's formation.
A team of European astronomers has discovered a triple system of super-Earths around the star HD 40307 using the HARPS instrument. The planets have masses between 4.2 and 9.4 times that of Earth, and orbit the star with periods ranging from 4.3 to 20.4 days.
Researchers found extraterrestrial nucleobases in a Murchison meteorite fragment, suggesting early genetic materials came from space. The discovery supports the idea that life's raw materials are widespread in the cosmos.
Scientists analyzed ancient zircons to find evidence of heavy weathering by an acidic climate 4.3 billion years ago, suggesting the destruction of early rocks and possibly habitats for life. This discovery provides new insights into the Earth's habitability, contradicting previous theories on the formation and evolution of continents.
A two-year-old mud volcano in Indonesia was triggered by drilling operations, according to a detailed scientific analysis published this week. The study disproves the theory that an earthquake was responsible for the eruption.
Scientists at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center have developed a novel method for creating massive telescope mirrors on the Moon, utilizing carbon nanotubes and lunar dust. The technique enables the production of highly reflective mirrors with minimal effort and cost, paving the way for giant telescopes up to 50 meters in diameter.
Researchers discovered that an Antarctic ice stream radiates seismic waves, similar to earthquakes, due to the 'stick-slip' phenomenon. The ice stream moves about 18 inches within ten minutes, producing two bursts of seismic waves per day.
Researchers are using the Allen Telescope Array to target a specific area of the sky, the ecliptic plane, where they believe civilizations may be more likely to transmit signals. This targeted search increases the chances of detecting extraterrestrial life in our galaxy.
A prototype of a sturdy bamboo house was built in under two weeks with a modular design that can be adjusted for specific family needs. The structure is made from processed bamboo veneer sheets and is fireproof, insulated for heat and sound, and sustainable.
Maarten Schmidt's discovery of high redshifts in quasar 3C273 led to a new understanding of quasars as compact halos surrounding massive black holes. He shares the award with Donald Lynden-Bell for their contributions to astrophysics.
A new geomorphological index has been created to study active tectonics in mountains, identifying four classes of activity and using six geomorphological indicators. The index is based on land forms and direct evidence of active faults, with applications in regions like southern Spain where studies are not widely distributed.
Scientists at Harvard University analyzed salt deposits in Martian rock and found that the water was more likely a thick brine with salinity exceeding terrestrial life's tolerance. The study suggests that even four billion years ago, Mars' surface would have been challenging for life.
Scientists analyzed 15 major earthquakes and found at least 12 triggered small quakes hundreds to thousands of miles away. The study shows large earthquakes routinely trigger smaller jolts globally, contradicting previous assumptions that seismically active regions were most vulnerable.
The Mars rover Spirit has discovered Yellowstone-like hot spring deposits on Mars, suggesting a habitable environment where liquid water and energy were present. The silica deposits, formed by volcanic steam or hot water, may contain preserved traces of ancient Martian life.
A team of international scientists mapped and analyzed geologically young faults in Sichuan Province, finding clear evidence of slip during the last few thousands of years. The faults showed rates of slip varying between fractions of mm per year to possibly many mm per year.
A new study finds that Earth's plate tectonics could become unstable if the surface temperature rises by 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more for a few million years. This would cause the crust to become locked in place, leading to volcanic activity and a lack of tectonic plates moving.
Scientists have developed a record-breaking ultrafast laser that can aid in the search for Earthlike planets. The new laser offers high speed, short pulses, and high average power, making it ideal for boosting the sensitivity of astronomical tools.
Scientists found tiny airborne carbon cenospheres near an asteroid impact site, formed when carbon deep in the Earth's crust was vaporized and created new structures in the atmosphere. The discovery suggests environmental circumstances were less dramatic than previously thought, challenging the long-held fire-on-Earth hypothesis.
A Cardiff University study suggests that the sun's movement through the Milky Way causes comets to collide with Earth every 35-40 million years, coinciding with mass extinctions like the dinosaurs' extinction. This cosmic 'bounce' effect may also have helped life spread by dispersing micro-organisms into space.
The '4D' ionosphere map provides a real-time, three-dimensional view of the ionosphere, allowing users to plan flights over the poles and predict potential radio blackouts. The tool uses satellite data to forecast changes in electron density and warn users of impending weather conditions.
Researchers found a special geochemical signature in Arctic volcanic rocks that resembles the one found only in the southern hemisphere. The discovery suggests that processes at work in the Indian Ocean might have an analog in the northern hemisphere, and sheds light on the origin of the Dupal anomaly.
A research team from Arizona State University and the University of Oxford has synthesized a molecule that is sensitive to both the magnitude and direction of magnetic fields as weak as the Earth's. This discovery provides evidence for chemical magnetoreception, a mechanism that birds may use to navigate.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a theoretical model that can accurately predict the behavior of dense granular flows, similar to molecules in jammed materials. This breakthrough has significant implications for fields such as materials innovation, medicine, and geology, offering new avenues for understanding complex phenomena.
Astronomers are looking for Earth-like planets with liquid oceans in the habitable zone of their star. By monitoring the light curve of a distant planet as it spins on its axis, they can determine if the planet has water.
The powerful Ku Band antenna system attached to NASA's GLAST satellite enables high-rate data transmission to Earth through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites. The antenna system includes a Ku antenna, pointing mechanism, and transmitters, and will play a crucial role in the observatory's scientific experiments.
A mathematical model suggests that intelligent life emerging on other planets is low due to the short life span of Earth. The model, developed by Prof Andrew Watson, estimates the probability of each critical step occurring as 10% or less over four billion years.
The Wildlife Conservation Society's new book, State of the Wild, explores pressing conservation issues including wildlife disease, climate change, and conservation as diplomacy. The book features expert essays from top scientists and thought leaders, providing a comprehensive look at the current trends affecting wildlife worldwide.
A study suggests seismic hazard maps for New Madrid and Charleston zones may be less dire than current predictions, as a new model assumes earthquakes are less likely to occur immediately after a major quake. The 'time-dependent' model sheds light on assumptions in hazard mapping, which affect building codes and preparations.
Scientists suggest that meteorite impacts may have delivered the chemical seeds of life on Earth, resulting in a predominance of left-handed amino acids. This theory is supported by evidence found on meteorites and simulations of prebiotic conditions, which show that cosmic amino acids can transfer their chirality to simple amino acids.
The Gamma-ray Large Area Telescope (GLAST) satellite is nearing its May 16th launch date as it prepares to provide electrical power with its newly attached solar panels. GLAST's twin solar panels will ensure continuous operation and enable the telescope to explore extreme environments in the universe.
Scientists confirm 1966 prediction that most energetic particles in the universe rarely reach Earth at full strength due to cosmic microwave background radiation. The GZK cutoff is a suppression of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, suggesting they come from galaxies beyond 150 million light years away.
A NASA satellite has detected a record-breaking gamma ray burst explosion halfway across the universe. The explosion was seen with the naked eye from Earth, shattering previous records and providing insights into the universe's most distant objects.
Researchers have found unexpected luminous spots on Jupiter's atmosphere caused by the moon Io's volcanic eruptions. The discovery challenges previous models of the Io footprint and reveals a new interpretation where beams of electrons travel from one hemisphere to another.
Scientists have found high levels of amino acids in two meteorites, indicating that the early solar system was a rich source of organic compounds. This discovery supports the idea that meteorites may have delivered these essential building blocks to Earth.
Scientists have discovered ancient meteorites containing the highest concentration of amino acids ever recorded, suggesting that the early solar system was richer in life's raw materials than previously thought. This finding may have helped kick-start life on Earth.
Researchers have found evidence of small, sandy particles orbiting a newborn solar system at a distance similar to the Earth's orbit around the sun. The discovery sheds light on how Earth-like planets may form and offers new opportunities for studying the chemical composition of these particles.
Brown University professor Peter Schultz presents findings from Peruvian meteorite research, discovering a 49-foot-wide crater and planar deformation features indicating the meteorite maintained high speed during atmospheric entry. The study's implications for Mars craters and extraterrestrial object sizes challenge conventional wisdom.
A new discovery at Jupiter could help protect Earth-orbiting satellites by understanding how electrons are accelerated within the planet's magnetic field. The research found that very low frequency radio waves can accelerate electrons up to high energies inside Jupiter's magnetic field, similar to the way they do on Earth.
Researchers at UCLA have solved a 40-year-old puzzle by identifying the source of intense radio waves in the Earth's upper atmosphere that control the dynamics of the Van Allen radiation belts. The chorus wave type is found to energize electrons and was initially thought unrelated to hiss.
Researchers found that viruses infecting bacteria in the region are unrelated to their counterparts globally, with only 5% shared DNA sequences. This contradicts previous studies suggesting widespread dispersal and uniformity of viral genotypes worldwide.
Researchers found three-billion-year-old zircon microcrystals in northern Ontario with an incredible 200-million-year growth span. The crystals provide a new record of planetary evolution and contradict previous theories about their behavior when exposed to heat and pressure.
Researchers found that some abiotic precursors to life on Earth carry 'handedness' in a larger number than previously thought. The discovery was made possible by the study of an exceptionally pristine meteorite, which revealed molecular asymmetry in extraterrestrial chemistry.
A team of scientists from Cardiff University presents new temperature records using ancient sea floor mud, revealing that ocean temperatures cooled during the growth of an ice sheet, matching climate model simulations. The findings help resolve a long-standing puzzle regarding ice-sheet growth versus global cooling.
Researchers have reproduced Mars fan formations in a laboratory setting, suggesting brief releases of water from the planet's interior. The findings indicate that stepped fans on Mars were formed by rapid water release, rather than long-term erosion, and would require significant amounts of water.
The Lunar Array for Radio Cosmology (LARC) project aims to explore the 'Dark Ages' of the universe when stars and galaxies first formed. The new telescopes will study cosmic background radiation and test current theories about the universe's formation.
Astronomers have discovered that many nearby sun-like stars may form rocky planets, with potential for life being more common than thought. The study suggests that at least 20 percent to 60 percent of stars similar to the sun are candidates for forming terrestrial worlds.
Stan Kidder, a CIRA researcher, has contributed to a new book celebrating 50 years of Earth observations from space. The book highlights the significant contributions satellites have made to weather forecasting, providing capabilities that were not possible before satellites, such as predicting tropical storms and severe weather events.
Researchers identify significant human effects on the environment, including altered sediment patterns, carbon cycle disruptions, and ocean acidification. The International Commission on Stratigraphy is considering formal adoption of the Anthropocene as a new geological epoch.
A 580-meter ice core retrieved from the WAIS Divide project will provide a precise year-by-year record of greenhouse gases over the last 40,000 years. The core contains critical information for predicting human activity's impact on climate.
Geophysicists Paul Silver and Mark Behn propose a new theoretical model that plate tectonic motions have stopped in Earth's geologic history, suggesting an intermittent process. This finding could impact our understanding of earthquakes, volcanism, and the formation of continents.
Researchers have discovered a unique hydrothermal vent system, defying long-held assumptions about volcanism-driven vents. The system involves cold water descending through buried chimneys and emerging at the surface through numerous vents.
The Deep Impact spacecraft is using its flyby of Earth to calibrate its instruments for the EPOXI mission, which will study comet Hartley 2. The team made observations of the moon to test the spacecraft's pointing and commanding systems.
Cornell researchers have discovered silica-rich deposits in Spirit's wake on Mars, providing new evidence for a once-habitable environment. These findings are significant as they suggest a 'local habitable niche' on the planet's surface, supporting microbial life-like conditions.
A team of astronomers has figured out what alien astronomers might see when studying Earth using current and future telescopes. They found that a great deal of information about a planet can be gleaned from its brightness and color changes over time, revealing its rotation rate and weather systems.
Harvard researchers suggest sulfur dioxide played a crucial role in maintaining Mars' warmer climate between 3.5 and 4 billion years ago. The presence of sulfur dioxide would have prevented the formation of limestone deposits, leading to the absence of carbonate on Mars today.
A hot spot on Enceladus's south pole generates enough heat to eject ice and vapor plumes, indicating geological activity. The presence of water vapor and lack of sodium suggest a different mechanism may be at play, fueling questions about the moon's habitability.
The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission will precisely map the moon's gravitational pull, revealing differences in density of the moon's crust and mantle. The detailed information gained will facilitate future manned or unmanned missions to land on the moon.
Dartmouth College researcher Robyn Millan will lead a NASA project launching over 40 high-altitude balloons from Antarctica to study the Earth's Van Allen Belts. The balloons will carry instrumentation to better understand how the belts release radiation into near-Earth space, which can be hazardous to astronauts and satellites.
Researchers have successfully drilled four boreholes into the ocean floor near a major earthquake fault zone in Japan. The team collected geophysical information about the rock layers while drilling, revealing unexpected differences in physical stress conditions between active and inactive parts of the plate boundary.