Articles tagged with Planetary Interiors
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.
New research finds Mars' mantle preserves a record of its violent beginnings, with chunky layers containing ancient fragments up to 4km wide. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of rocky planets and challenges current understanding of planetary formation.
New research suggests Jupiter's core is actually formed through gradual absorption of heavy and light materials as the planet grew, rather than a massive collision. This dilute core structure blends into the surrounding layers without a sharp boundary.
A 2.35-billion-year-old meteorite offers fresh insights into the Moon's volcanic history and suggests ongoing internal heat generation processes. The rock's distinct composition provides new constraints on when and how volcanic activity occurred on the Moon.
A new study from the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics suggests that Mars' molten core could explain its unusual magnetic field. Researchers used computer simulations to model a fully liquid core and found that it could produce a one-sided magnetic field, matching the imprint seen today.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis propose a new mechanism to explain Venus' geology: convection in the crust. If true, this process could influence volcano placement and type. High-resolution gravity measurements could detect differences in crust temperature and density.
Scientists have identified a crystal phase that could theoretically crystallize under Martian core conditions, suggesting the Red Planet may have a solid inner core. This discovery was made using diamond anvil cells and single-crystal diffraction at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.
Dr. Alison Altman, a Texas A&M chemist, has received the NSF CAREER Award to support her research on underexplored elements of the periodic table and their applications in technology. She aims to expand chemistry education at all levels, emphasizing its impact on everyday life.
The discovery of two new planets in the WASP-132 system has overturned existing understanding of how 'hot Jupiter' planetary systems form and evolve. The planets' unique configurations challenge traditional migration theories and suggest a more stable, 'cool' migration path for hot Jupiters.
Researchers at Southwest Research Institute propose a new model for the formation of Pluto and Charon, suggesting they may have originated from a giant collision similar to the Earth-Moon system. The scenario supports Pluto's active geology and possible subsurface ocean, with implications for the Kuiper Belt.
Researchers argue that the planets' unique magnetic fields can be explained by immiscible layers of water and hydrocarbons. Computer simulations show that a combination of water, methane, and ammonia separates into two distinct layers under extreme temperatures and pressures.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a library of basalt-based spectral signatures to help identify the presence of water on exoplanets. By analyzing small spectral differences between basalt samples, scientists can determine if an exoplanet once had running surface water or water in its interior.
Researchers have discovered dense, large-scale structures beneath a lost ocean on Mars, using gravity data from multiple missions. The findings suggest active processes in the martian mantle may be boosting the largest volcano, Olympus Mons.
Researchers found that as planet mass increases, water tends to integrate with the iron core, leading to a reevaluation of astronomical observation data and planetary habitability. This discovery has significant implications for the study of Super-Earths and the search for life beyond Earth.
A team of scientists has found evidence for a large underground reservoir of liquid water on Mars, which could be a promising place to look for life on the planet. The reservoir is estimated to cover most of the Martian surface and is located in tiny cracks and pores in rock beneath the surface.
Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered that Mars experiences around 280-360 meteorite impacts per year, exceeding previous estimates. This new tool, known as a 'cosmic clock,' can help scientists date planetary surfaces across the Solar System more accurately.
Researchers used high-energy laser experiments to study magnesium oxide's melting point and phase transitions under ultra-high pressures. The findings suggest the mineral could be the earliest solid to crystallize in forming super-Earths.
Scientists analyzed Martian meteorites to understand the planet's mantle and crust structure. The study found that these rocks are related through a process known as fractional crystallization within a volcano, revealing details about Mars' internal structure and volcanism.
A team of scientists has discovered an ocean of liquid water beneath Pluto's surface, with a shell of nitrogen and water ice estimated to be 40-80 km thick. The density of the ocean is around 8% denser than seawater on Earth, allowing for minimal fractures in the ice above.
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.
A team of researchers from the University of Rochester has uncovered evidence that a weak magnetic field millions of years ago may have fueled the proliferation of life. The study suggests that fluctuations in Earth's ancient magnetic field led to shifts in oxygen levels, enabling more advanced life forms to emerge.
A new paper argues that Venus, with its surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead and a toxic atmosphere, can provide valuable lessons about the potential for life on other planets. The study highlights the importance of understanding the conditions that make Earth habitable, as well as the risks of runaway greenhouse effects.
Numerical simulations attribute Pluto's 'heart' shape to a giant, slow oblique-angle impact. The study suggests no subsurface ocean on Pluto, contradicting previous theorized explanations.
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 use quantum chemical calculations to understand sodium's transformation into an insulator at high pressures. The study confirms theoretical predictions made by Neil Ashcroft and connects it with chemical concepts of bonding.
Researchers at ETH Zurich analyze Mars' seismic data and computer simulations to determine the planet's interior structure. They discover a layer of liquid silicate (magma) about 150 km thick between the core and mantle, contradicting initial estimates of the Martian core's density.
Researchers used seismic data to locate and identify a thin layer of molten silicates overlying Mars' metallic core. The discovery reveals a denser and smaller Martian core, aligning with other geophysical data and analysis of Martian meteorites. This finding provides new insights into how Mars formed, evolved, and became a barren planet.
Scientists discovered a molten silicate layer beneath the Martian mantle using InSight mission data, contradicting earlier assumptions about the planet's internal structure. This new finding suggests that Mars experienced an early magma ocean stage and provides insights into the formation of its core.
A Southwest Research Institute-led team modeled the early impact history of Venus to explain how it maintains a youthful surface despite lacking plate tectonics. The findings suggest that higher-speed, higher-energy impacts created a superheated core that promoted extended volcanism and resurfaced the planet.
A study by Caltech scientists reveals that Earth primarily consisted of dry, rocky materials during its early stages, with a major addition of life-essential volatiles occurring only in the last 15% of its formation. This finding provides crucial insights into the planet's formation process and has important implications for theories o...
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.
Researchers used NASA InSight data to directly measure Mars' core properties, finding a completely liquid iron-alloy core with high percentages of sulfur and oxygen. This discovery provides new insights into Martian formation and geological differences between Earth and Mars, potentially impacting planetary habitability.
Researchers at the University of Bristol used NASA's InSight lander data to detect seismic waves traveling into Mars' core, revealing a denser and smaller core comprising iron and numerous other elements. The study found that the core's composition is distinct from Earth's, with a high fraction of light elements alloyed with iron.
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 from the University of Cambridge have developed a model to predict a planet's interior water capacity based on its size and host star chemistry. The results suggest that larger planets may have drier rocky mantles, while smaller ones could hold more water-rich minerals.
The largest earthquake on Mars, a 4.7 magnitude marsquake, revealed layers in the crust suggesting a massive meteoroid impact, with possible alternating volcanic and sedimentary rocks. This finding provides evidence for past collision events that shaped the planet.
Scientists from the University of Arizona have discovered a giant active mantle plume pushing the surface of Mars upward, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The finding suggests that Mars' deceptively quiet surface may hide a more tumultuous interior than previously thought.
Researchers found that boron arsenide's thermal conductivity decreases at extremely high pressures, breaking the general rule of pressure dependence. This discovery may lead to novel materials for smart energy systems with built-in 'pressure windows'.
A recent study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that Mars was once covered in a 300-metre-deep ocean, filled with water and icy asteroids carrying biologically important molecules. This finding suggests that conditions allowing the emergence of life were present on Mars long before Earth.
A new model accounts for the interplay of forces acting on newborn planets, explaining two puzzling observations: the radius valley and peas in a pod. The research suggests that giant impacts, like the one that formed our moon, are probably a generic outcome of planet formation.
Researchers analyzed data from two meteorite impacts recorded by NASA's InSight spacecraft, revealing a very uniform structure and high density of the Martian crust. The findings provide new insights into the planet's core, mantle, and crust, shedding light on the formation and evolution of Mars.
Researchers from Australian National University confirmed the existence of a large core at Mars' center, measuring approximately 3,620 kilometers in diameter. This discovery sheds light on the Red Planet's magnetic field and its significance for sustaining life.
Researchers used seismic data and orbital observations to refine knowledge of Mars' planetary interior. The studies provide new constraints that validate and refine models of the planet's internal structure and dynamics of major impacts.
Researchers at UNLV's Nevada Extreme Conditions Lab have discovered a new form of ice with unique properties. The team found that the transition to Ice-X occurs at much lower pressures than previously thought.
A team of scientists has developed a new X-ray measurement method that can analyze the chemical properties of warm dense matter, a state found in planetary interiors. The method uses the strongest X-ray laser to probe carbon's bonding states, providing new insights into planetary formation and potential applications in materials science.
The Dartmouth Engineering team will conduct research on planetary science relating to icy planets' geophysics and astrobiology, aiming to understand the nature of these worlds and their habitability. The project will provide valuable tools for interpreting measurements taken by future missions.
The study reveals features on Venus that suggest limited yet global crustal deformation driven by convection in the planet's interior. The findings support the hypothesis that planetary heat flux and a thinner lithosphere were present during Earth's Archean Eon.
Researchers found evidence of tectonic activity on exoplanet LHS 3844b, resulting in extreme temperature contrasts and potential volcanic activity. The planet's surface receives intense radiation, causing blistering heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night.
A team of scientists from Carnegie Institution argues that a planet's interior dynamics are vital for creating a hospitable environment. The researchers suggest that planetary composition and interior processes should be considered when searching for signs of life on exoplanets.
Researchers studied hydrogen's transition from a gas to a liquid metal under high pressure, shedding light on the interiors of giant planets. They found that deuterium became opaque and metallic at nearly 2 million times normal atmospheric pressure.
Researchers created high-pressure conditions to simulate the interior of icy giant planets and observe the formation of solid diamonds. The team used X-ray pulses to measure the chemical reaction, providing unambiguous evidence of diamond rain in real-time for the first time.
Researchers found that magnesium oxide can react with oxygen under high-pressure conditions, potentially leading to the formation of magnesium peroxide in rocky planets outside our Solar System. This suggests that the interiors of these planets may have a different chemical composition than Earth's mantle.
The Dead Sea's subsidence is attributed to a tectonic concurrence between the African and Arabian plates, resulting in a pull-apart basin. The basin's evolution is controlled by four parameters: brittle layer thickness, basin width, strike-slip displacement length, and upper mantle viscosity.
A study of Martian meteorites suggests that Mars formed quickly and became geologically quiet, with little plate tectonics. This process allowed the planet's internal structure to remain relatively unchanged since its earliest history.