Articles tagged with Planetary Surfaces
A new study using NASA's InSight Lander data reveals that Mars may be getting bombarded by space rocks more frequently than previously estimated. The research team detected eight new impact craters from meteoroids not seen before, including two of the largest impacts ever recorded on the Red Planet.
Researchers estimate that between 280 to 360 meteorites strike Mars each year, forming impact craters greater than 8 meters across. The study uses seismic data from the NASA InSight Mission to make this estimate, which is five times higher than previously thought.
Researchers uncover dark particles and lighter components with stones, suggesting asteroids played a key role in delivering water and life to Earth. The samples also contain unexpected minerals, offering insights into Bennu's evolution and the early solar system.
Researchers used simulations to model the erosion of Titan's shorelines, finding that waves are the most likely explanation for the moon's lakes and seas. The team found that wave activity could have shaped the coastlines of lakes and seas on Titan.
A UC Riverside study shows that extreme heat in Earth's past caused a decline in the exchange of waters from the surface to the deep ocean, which redistributes heat around the globe. This system has been crucial for regulating Earth's climate and removing anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Researchers captured a volcanic event on Io using the Large Binocular Telescope's SHARK-VIS instrument, achieving higher resolution than ever before with Earth-based observations. The images reveal surface details equivalent to taking a picture of a dime-sized object from 100 miles away.
During its flyby, the Lucy spacecraft discovered a trough and ridge structure on Dinkinesh, revealing a complex history of sudden breakups and transformation. The asteroid's internal strength and dynamic evolution were also revealed, suggesting that it has significant cohesion, unlike some other asteroids.
A research team led by UCF's Mário Nascimento De Prá and Noemí Pinilla-Alonso discovered carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide ices on 59 trans-Neptunian objects using the James Webb Space Telescope. The findings suggest that carbon dioxide was abundant in the protoplanetary disk, while the origin of carbon monoxide remains uncertain.
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.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory identified 28 trace metals in secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke, including cadmium, arsenic, and chromium. The study found that the predicted indoor air concentration for these metals exceeded California's cancer risk guidelines, highlighting the need to understand their contrib...
The newly discovered SPECULOOS-3b is an Earth-sized, likely airless planet orbiting a nearby ultracool dwarf star. The planet's extremely close proximity to its star has likely vaporized any atmosphere, allowing scientists to study its surface composition and history in unprecedented detail.
A new rocky planet, TOI-6713.01, has been found to be covered with active volcanoes, making it glow with a fiery, glowing-red hue. The planet's surface temperature reaches 2,600 degrees Kelvin due to gravitational forces that cause it to experience tidal energy.
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.
A 23-year 'megadrought' in the western US is being studied by WVU researcher Steve Kannenberg to understand its effects on natural ecosystems, agricultural systems and human water resources. The research aims to identify areas with depleted groundwater and soil moisture, as well as assess carbon capture and storage in dryland plants.
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.
The Lunar Environment Monitoring System, developed by UMD researchers, will track seismic activity on the moon's surface during the upcoming Artemis III mission. The system's data will help prepare NASA for a long-term presence on other planetary bodies.
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.
Researchers analyzed large craters on Europa to determine the ice shell's thickness, finding it to be at least 20 kilometers thick. This conclusion is based on the study of impact cratering and the combination of physical characteristics that could have created such a surface structure.
A team of UCF scientists used the James Webb Space Telescope to analyze the elemental composition of a binary duo in the Kuiper Belt, revealing clues about Neptune's formation. The study provides valuable insights into the dynamical history of Neptune and its neighboring objects.
The Perseverance rover has collected and remotely determined the original orientations of most bedrock samples to date. This breakthrough will help scientists answer key questions about Mars' past, including its magnetic field, water flow, and tectonic processes.
The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, tested the future LIFE mission's capabilities on real spectra using data from NASA's Aqua Earth observation satellite. It demonstrated that a space telescope like LIFE could detect signs of a temperate, habitable world on Earth-like exoplanets.
A new study using computer models and simple calculations found that ancient Mars' southern highlands aquifer had a miniscule .03 millimeters of groundwater recharge per year on average. This is significantly lower than the annual rate of groundwater recharge for Earth's aquifers, suggesting a different water regime on Mars.
A common mineral in red soils, goethite locks away trace metals over time, rendering them unavailable for plants and animals. The study found that up to 70% of nickel was non-recoverable and only 8% of cadmium was irreversibly bound.
Researchers found evidence of hydrothermal or metamorphic activity within the icy dwarf planets Eris and Makemake, which have methane deposits with geochemical origins. The discovery suggests elevated temperatures in their rocky cores, potentially leading to liquid water and habitability.
Scientists detected water molecules on two asteroids, Iris and Massalia, indicating a distribution of water in our solar system that can inform searches for life beyond Earth. The discovery was made possible by using the FORCAST instrument to isolate mid-infrared spectral signatures indicative of molecular water.
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 confirm ancient lake sediments at Jezero crater on Mars using radar imaging, revealing eons of environmental changes and potential signs of past life. The discovery supports the search for evidence of life in Perseverance rover's soil and rock samples.
A team of scientists found evidence that the moon's shrinkage led to surface warping in its south polar region, including areas proposed for crewed Artemis III landings. Shallow moonquakes can devastate hypothetical human settlements on the moon due to loose sediments and unstable surface slopes.
Researchers found 'puffs' of methane before Martian sunrise, suggesting optimal timing for Curiosity to collect data and gain insights into methane circulation and transport processes. The study uses computer models to simulate how methane moves beneath the Martian surface and mixes within the atmosphere.
A Western University postdoctoral fellow's discovery of apatite in early lunar crust reveals a volatile-rich surface from 4.5 billion years ago. This finding challenges previous understanding and offers exciting new evidence for the Moon's early history.
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.
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.
A study published in Ecology Letters reveals that human population growth and land-use changes led to significant dietary shifts in large herbivores in eastern China. The researchers found that these herbivores adapted by altering their diets, with increased interspecific differences and expanded intraspecific dietary ranges.
Scientists at Ohio State University discovered that tropical ice cores can provide accurate measurements of surface global mean temperature. The study found that the temperature in the middle and upper troposphere cooled by 7.35 degrees Celsius during the Earth's glacial period, shedding light on new theories about climate dynamics.
Human activities have significantly impacted the moon's environment since Luna 2 landed in 1959. The Lunar Anthropocene concept aims to raise awareness about humanity's influence on the lunar surface and its preservation.
A study of Ryugu samples suggests that micrometeorites from icy celestial bodies in the outer Solar System transported nitrogen compounds to near-Earth regions. This discovery could provide clues about the origins of nitrogen on our planet, potentially serving as a building block for life.
Astronomers have discovered a rare six-planet system, HD110067, that exhibits an orbital resonance pattern, repeating every three and four orbits. This unique configuration provides valuable information on how sub-Neptunes form, evolve, and potentially support liquid water on their surfaces.
A recent study by Professor Amri Wandel reveals that subglacial liquid water can extend the Habitable Zone for tidally locked planets and even broaden its limits. This discovery presents opportunities for searching for extraterrestrial life on a diverse range of exoplanets.
The University of Würzburg's SONATE-2 nanosatellite is designed to test novel artificial intelligence (AI) hardware and software technologies in near-Earth space. The satellite aims to automatically detect anomalies on planets or asteroids, with the goal of improving planetary exploration and research.
Researchers investigate geologic features on icy moons, revealing mechanisms behind strike-slip faults. Studies on Titan and Ganymede provide insights into potential environments conducive for life emergence.
New studies show that giant gas planets in nearby star systems can prevent life on smaller, rocky planet neighbors by kicking them out of orbit and wreaking havoc on their climates. Researchers found that four giant planets in the HD 141399 system are likely to destroy the chances for life on Earth-like planets.
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 have discovered a unique mechanism by which the desert shrub Tamarix aphylla captures moisture from the air, allowing it to thrive in arid environments. The plant excretes salts to extract and condense water onto its leaves, which can then be absorbed.
A new study suggests that Venus once had plate tectonics similar to those on early Earth, which could have supported microbial life. The researchers used atmospheric data and computer modeling to show that the planet's current atmosphere and surface pressure would only be possible with an early form of plate tectonics.
Researchers at Northwestern University and Field Museum analyzed lunar crystals to determine the Moon's age, finding it to be approximately 4.46 billion years old, 40 million years older than previous estimates. This discovery sheds light on the Moon's formation and its impact on the Earth's planetary system.
Astronomers using James Webb Space Telescope data have identified carbon dioxide on Europa's icy surface, supporting the idea that it originated in the subsurface ocean. The discovery provides crucial insights into the potential habitability of Europa's ocean and may inform future missions like NASA’s Europa Clipper.
A novel method of analyzing Mars' gravitational force confirms the presence of an extensive northern ocean, providing new insights into the planet's history. The approach differs from traditional methods and can be applied to various disciplines such as geology and hydrology.
A team of scientists calculated that most of the Moon's permanently shadowed regions are younger than previously estimated and contain relatively young deposits of water ice. The findings suggest that current estimates for cold-trapped ices are too high, which could impact future missions to the Moon.
High-energy electrons from Earth's plasma sheet contribute to weathering processes on the Moon's surface, aiding in the formation of water. The discovery may help explain the origin of lunar water ice and provide insights into the Moon's evolution.
A new study reveals that volcanic eruptions can temporarily weaken the Pacific Walker Circulation, a major driver of global precipitation. The recent strengthening of this circulation suggests that aerosols from human activity may have an opposite effect on its behavior.
Researchers used a new code to test the capabilities of future giant telescopes, which could help identify potentially habitable planets. The study found that ELT and TMT can make high-resolution observations of brown dwarfs and exoplanets over a single rotation, while GMT's instruments require multiple rounds.
Researchers believe convection in the mantle was stratified into two distinct layers, isolated from each other, until a phase transition at 660 km depth. This restriction to upper mantle recycling and mixing has implications for our understanding of Earth's primordial composition.
Researchers used Fibonacci's method to calculate the Moon's shape, finding that its poles are half a kilometre closer to its centre of mass than its equator. This information is crucial for applying GPS technology to the Moon.
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.
The BepiColombo mission has successfully observed how electrons raining down on Mercury's surface can trigger high-energy auroras. The observations confirm that the mechanism generating aurorae is the same throughout the Solar System.
Scientists have developed a new radar technique that can image hidden features within the upper few feet of ice sheets, including melting glaciers on Earth and potentially habitable environments on Jupiter's moon Europa. The technique boosts resolution by combining two different radar bandwidths and looking for discrepancies.
A new study finds that many Earth-like exoplanets with liquid water exist, increasing the chances of finding life. Researchers discovered two main ways for heat to generate liquid water underground, even in planets with frozen surfaces.
A new study led by Brown University researchers reveals that Martian gullies could have been formed by on-and-off periods of meltwater from ice on and beneath the planet's surface. The study found that when Mars tilts on its axis to 35 degrees, conditions become dense enough for brief episodes of melting to occur.
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.