Articles tagged with Planetary Atmospheres
Experimental tests demonstrate that interactions between magma oceans and primitive atmospheres during early years can produce significant amounts of water. This process has major implications for the physical and chemical properties of planets' interiors, with potential effects on core development and atmospheric composition.
A rare glimpse into Mars's north polar vortex has revealed that it produces a seasonal ozone layer. The extreme cold temperatures inside the vortex allow ozone to accumulate, making it essential for understanding Martian atmosphere chemistry. This finding has significant implications for the search for past life on Mars.
Biocontaminant explores biological contaminants in diverse ecosystems, including air, water, and soil. The journal publishes innovative control and remediation strategies to mitigate health and ecological impacts.
Researchers detected atmospheric methane and silicon monoxide on WASP-121b, suggesting it accumulated most of its gas in a cold region before becoming an ultra-hot giant planet. The team proposes that strong vertical winds on the nightside replenish methane gas to maintain its high abundance.
The Southwest Research Institute-led Ultraviolet Spectrograph (UVS) has successfully completed its initial commissioning aboard the Europa Clipper spacecraft. The instrument will analyze Europa's atmospheric gases and surface materials, searching for evidence of potential plumes erupting from within the icy moon.
Researchers from the Faculty of Sciences discover a deeper understanding of Martian climate through analysis of atmospheric waves. The study highlights greater asymmetry between Mars' southern and northern hemispheres, shedding new light on the Red Planet's climate dynamics.
Researchers identify methyl halides as a potential sign of microbial life on Hycean planets with thick hydrogen atmospheres. The gas could accumulate in exoplanet atmospheres and be detectable from light-years away, offering an optimal strategy for the search for extraterrestrial life.
A Chinese rover has detected underground beach deposits on Mars, indicating the presence of an ancient sea that covered a significant portion of the planet. The deposits, which date back 4 billion years, were formed through wave action and sediment distribution, suggesting a long-lived body of water.
A Chinese rover has discovered underground beach deposits in an area thought to have once been the site of an ancient sea on Mars. The deposits, which are similar to those found on Earth, suggest that Mars had a long-lived body of water with wave action to distribute sediments along a sloping shoreline.
Researchers have created the first-ever meridional profile of Mars' radiant energy budget, showing a polar energy surplus and a tropical energy deficit. This discovery provides critical insights into Martian weather patterns and climate evolution.
Researchers have discovered a mismatched composition of gases in the planet's atmosphere compared to gases within the disk. The study found that the ratio of carbon and oxygen gases in the planet is much lower than expected, suggesting that current models of planet formation may be too simplified.
A new study using the James Webb Space Telescope has reevaluated the atmospheric composition of Trappist-1 b, finding conditions that could support a thick CO2-rich atmosphere. Researchers propose that haze from hydrocarbon compounds in the upper atmosphere may explain this scenario.
Hubble's OPAL program has observed the four giant outer planets since 2018, providing long-term baseline data on their atmospheric changes. The observations have led to remarkable discoveries, including the measurement of Jupiter's wind speeds and Saturn's ring system colors.
Researchers have discovered unusual, Earth-size magnetically driven vortices generating dense, hydrocarbon haze at Jupiter's poles. The dark ovals hint at strong interactions between the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere.
A team of scientists has determined that a meteorite from Mars, the Lafayette Meteorite, was exposed to liquid water 742 million years ago. The minerals in the meteorite formed when there was liquid water present on the Martian surface, providing insight into the planet's past.
A University of Washington-led study suggests that rocky planets orbiting M-dwarf stars can maintain stable atmospheres over time, enhancing the chances of supporting life. The James Webb Space Telescope has observed hotter planets without significant atmospheres, but temperate planets in the 'Goldilocks zone' may have stable atmospheres.
The Great Red Spot on Jupiter is not as stable as initially thought, with observations from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope showing it jiggles like a bowl of gelatin. The GRS's size oscillates as it accelerates and decelerates, pushing against windy jet streams.
Researchers propose that Mars' early thick atmosphere could have been locked up in the planet's clay surface due to slow chain reactions between rocks and gases. The clay is estimated to hold up to 80% of the initial, early atmosphere, potentially recovered and converted into propellant for future missions.
The Ariel Data Challenge 2024 aims to extract faint exoplanetary signals from noisy space telescope observations, with a focus on overcoming noise sources like 'jitter noise'. The competition offers a unique chance for data scientists and AI enthusiasts to contribute to cutting-edge research in exoplanet atmospheres.
MIT researchers detected a clear signal of human influence on upper tropospheric ozone trends, separate from climate noise. The study provides insights into specific human activities driving this trend.
Researchers detected hydrogen sulfide in HD 189733 b's atmosphere using the James Webb Space Telescope, shedding light on sulfur's role in planetary formation. The study also measured oxygen and carbon levels, providing insights into how planets form and evolve.
The Great Red Spot on Jupiter has persisted for at least 190 years, with its formation likely occurring after the 17th-century astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini's observation. The spot's longevity is due to an instability in Jupiter's intense atmospheric winds, producing a long-lasting atmospheric cell.
Astronomers have discovered a sulfurous atmosphere on the smallest and coldest exoplanet known, providing clues to its formation process. The planet's unique orbit and composition offer insights into how planets are created.
The James Webb Space Telescope has provided the first measurements of an exoplanet's core mass, with WASP-107 b showing a thousand times less methane than expected. The planet's super-sized core and turbulent atmosphere are being studied to better understand how planetary atmospheres behave in extreme conditions.
Scientists have discovered a new planet called WASP-193b that is 50% bigger than Jupiter yet has a density comparable to cotton candy. The planet's low density makes it an outlier among the over 5,400 planets discovered so far.
A new study led by Dr. Assaf Hochman uncovers ozone's impact on atmospheric stability and temperature distribution on Proxima Centauri b, a habitable exoplanet tantalizingly close to Earth's solar system. The research highlights the importance of considering interactive ozone in understanding Earth-like exoplanets.
A new study challenges the initial detection of a biosignature gas on K2-18b, suggesting that the data may be inconclusive. However, researchers believe it's possible for life to produce detectable levels of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the planet's atmosphere.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have discovered thick clouds and a surprising lack of methane on the planet's nightside, while ubiquitous water presence was found throughout its atmosphere. The discovery reveals the first observation of clouds on the nightside of WASP-43b, a giant gas-filled exoplanet.
A recent study published in Nature Astronomy revealed that positively charged carbon ions are being accelerated to escape speeds in a previously unexplored region of Venus's magnetosphere. This discovery sheds new light on the planet's atmospheric evolution and the loss of its historical water content.
Researchers discovered that 19 amino acids essential to life on Earth can persist for up to four weeks in concentrated sulfuric acid, which is similar to the concentrations found in Venus' clouds. This finding suggests that the clouds of Venus could support complex chemicals needed for life.
Astronomers have discovered an extreme Earth-like planet with lava oceans that orbits its sun-like star every four days. The young planet, just 500 million years old, is the nearest Earth-sized planet found so far and could provide valuable insights into the evolution of planets similar to our own.
Researchers have identified a CO-rich atmosphere on exoplanets that could support life. The study reveals a 'gap' in atmospheric conditions where CO levels are higher than expected, indicating potential habitability.
Researchers have discovered a multi-planet system that provides a rare glimpse into the formation of planets around a young star. The system consists of six confirmed planets and potentially a seventh, all forming under similar conditions at an age of just 700 million years.
Researchers have discovered a Jupiter-sized planet, WASP-69b, with a comet-like tail that trails the planet for at least 350,000 miles. The tail is shaped and pushed in the direction of Earth by radiation and an outflow of gas from its host star, providing a rare opportunity to study planetary mass-loss in real time.
Scientists propose searching for depleted carbon dioxide in planetary atmospheres as a sign of liquid water and potentially life on other planets. A study suggests that low carbon abundance relative to neighboring planets could indicate habitability.
Researchers have devised a new method to identify habitable planets and potentially inhabited planets by comparing atmospheric CO2 levels, which suggests the presence of liquid water. This signature can be detected with current telescopes, providing a path to identify life on exoplanets.
Researchers created lab-made haze to understand how it affects observations of distant planets, which could lead to misinterpretations of global temperatures and biological activity. The new data offers a better understanding of exoplanet atmospheres, helping scientists focus on specific planets and improve their search for life.
A new jet stream has been discovered in Jupiter's upper atmosphere by the James Webb Space Telescope, showing winds reaching speeds of up to 500 km/h. The discovery provides new insights into the atmospheric dynamics of gas giants and could shed light on global temperature variations.
Researchers used 3D simulations on Stampede2 to model the flow of HAT-P-32b's atmosphere, revealing a gigantic helium gas tail. The planet is losing significant atmospheric mass, which could help explain the mystery of intermediate-mass planets.
Researchers found long-term disruptions in Saturn's atmosphere, caused by past megastorms, which persist for hundreds of years. The study revealed that ammonia gas is being transported from the upper to lower atmosphere via precipitation and reevaporation processes.
A new study has captured the early stages of planetary evolution, observing a young gas planet's violent and erratic atmospheric shedding. The research, led by Dartmouth researchers, provides insights into the most common experiences of planets beyond our solar system.
The 2023 International Venus Observation Campaign aims to characterize the planet's atmosphere near the cloud-top level from three locations in the solar system. Key findings include the discovery of unknown UV absorbers in the upper clouds, which will be studied using data from JAXA's Akatsuki orbiter and ground-based telescopes.
The study finds that TRAPPIST-1 c has a extremely thin atmosphere, if it exists at all. The planet's dayside temperature is the coolest ever characterized, suggesting it may be a bare rock with no atmosphere.
Researchers found rock-forming elements in the atmosphere of WASP-76 b, which suggests it might have accreted a smaller Mercury-like planet. The discovery provides unprecedented insight into the presence and abundance of rock-forming elements in giant planets.
Researchers used the NIRISS instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope to create a temperature map of the exoplanet WASP-18 b, revealing a huge temperature change from day to night sides. Water vapor was also detected in the atmosphere at various elevations.
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-sized planet, LP 791-18d, with active volcanoes that could sustain an atmosphere, potentially allowing for liquid water and life. The planet's unique tidal locking creates a permanent day and night side, with the night side possibly experiencing condensation of water vapor.
A team of researchers used JWST to observe GJ 1214b's atmosphere, discovering water vapor and a reflective haze. The findings suggest the planet is too hot to be habitable but likely contains significant amounts of water.
Scientists at Lund University have found seven elements, including rare earth metal terbium, in the atmosphere of KELT-9 b, the galaxy's hottest exoplanet. The discovery was made possible by a new method developed to analyze exoplanets, which has opened up the possibility of studying their atmospheres in more detail.
A new study from NASA's Chandra program reveals that exploded stars can pose a significant risk to nearby planets due to intense X-ray radiation, potentially altering atmospheric chemistry and causing mass extinctions.
Researchers found that metal-poor stars, with fewer heavy elements, emit less intense ultraviolet radiation into space. This allows their planets to form a protective ozone layer, making conditions more life-friendly. The study suggests that as the universe ages, it becomes increasingly unfavourable for complex life on new planets.
Astronomers observe repeating radio signal from star YZ Ceti, indicating potential magnetic field of nearby Earth-sized planet YZ Ceti b. The detection provides new insights into the environment around stars and has implications for the search for habitable exoplanets.
Astronomers using JWST discovered that the atmosphere of exoplanet HD149026b, a 'hot Jupiter,' is super-abundant in carbon and oxygen, far above expectations. This finding provides insight into planet formation and suggests that giant planets may have varied atmospheric compositions.
The study identifies five exoplanets that resemble Venus in terms of radii, masses, and atmospheric conditions. By observing these 'exo-Venus' planets using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists hope to uncover valuable insights into Earth's future and the possibility of a runaway greenhouse climate.
Scientists have identified clouds made from silicate particles on a distant planet using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. The team discovered an atmosphere constantly rising and mixing, bringing hotter material up and pushing colder material down.
Researchers have pinpointed silicate cloud features and detected water, methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of VHS 1256 b. The team's findings provide the largest number of molecules identified all at once on a planet outside our solar system.
The University of Sydney and EnduroSat are collaborating on a mission to search for habitable planets around Alpha Centauri, just four light years from Earth. The team will use a custom-designed mini satellite to explore the star system's 'Goldilocks' zone for signs of life.
The BepiColombo and Solar Orbiter missions provided a unique insight into Venus' atmosphere retention through their gravity-assist flyby. The study revealed that the induced magnetosphere protects the atmosphere from solar wind erosion, extending to an unexpected distance of 1,900 km above the planet's surface.
The study provides the most comprehensive census to date of icy ingredients available to form future generations of stars and planets. The team identified frozen forms of a wide range of molecules, including complex organic molecules like methanol and potentially ethanol.
Researchers utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to observe dense interstellar clouds, revealing a treasure trove of pristine ices from the early universe. The study provides new insights into chemical processes in one of the coldest places in the universe, offering clues on molecular origins and sulfur storage.
The MEDA instrument aboard the Perseverance rover has provided high-precision meteorological measurements of Mars' atmosphere, revealing seasonal and daily cycles as well as dynamic phenomena like dust devils. The analysis sheds light on the Martian climate and its potential for supporting life.