Articles tagged with Planetary Surfaces
A new color catalog of icy planet surface signatures has been created to aid in the search for life on frozen worlds. The catalog, based on microorganisms found in subarctic conditions, provides a tool for comparing Earth's biological microbes with those on other planets.
Researchers found variations in carbon isotopes in younger kimberlites, suggesting the Cambrian Explosion affected the Earth's lower mantle. The study suggests that changes in marine sediments leave profound traces on the Earth's interior.
Researchers found evidence of high-intensity damage caused by asteroid impact in a Martian meteorite, challenging previous findings on early Mars habitability. The discovery provides new insights into dynamic processes that affected the young planet's surface.
A recent study led by the University of Texas at Austin has found that liquid water detected under Mars' ice-covered south pole is likely a dusty mirage. However, the researchers suggest that ancient lakes and riverbeds may still be present on the planet, offering clues about its wetter past.
A Southwest Research Institute scientist found compelling evidence for a liquid internal ocean on Mimas, a small Saturn moon. The discovery expands the definition of habitable worlds and suggests that worlds like Earth with surface oceans may not be unique in the galaxy.
A new study suggests that clay minerals like smectite could store the missing water on Mars. Researchers found that iron-rich smectite can form at depths of up to 30 km, making it a potential reservoir for the planet's lost water.
A team of scientists simulated over 200,000 hypothetical Earth-like worlds to understand the types of environments astronomers can expect to find on real exoplanets. They found that in 90% of cases with liquid water on the surface, there are no ice sheets, but rather permanent ice belts along the equator.
A team of researchers found evidence that solar wind altered the chemical composition of ancient asteroid grains, producing water molecules and providing a possible source for Earth's oceans. The discovery could help future space missions find sources of water on airless worlds.
Scientists have discovered a 900-mile mantle pipeline stretching from the Gal ªgapos Hotspot to Central America, suggesting that hotspots are not fixed in place. This new finding transforms our understanding of geologic processes occurring beneath the Earth's surface.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a new type of exoplanet known as 'eggshell planets,' which are likely to have little topography and no plate tectonics. These planets may resemble the lowlands on Venus, with vast expanses of lava but little high-standing terrain.
A Cornell-led team has published detailed maps of Titan's liquid methane rivers and tributaries, providing context for the upcoming Dragonfly mission. The research examined Earth-based radar data to understand fluvial characteristics on Titan, shedding light on its sediment transport system.
The University of Idaho's Deep Soil Ecotron facility will be a game-changer for understanding soil ecosystems, allowing researchers to conduct experiments at unprecedented depths. By studying deep soils, scientists can better understand how organisms respond to global environmental change and improve carbon sequestration.
A recent study suggests that strike-slip faulting is an active deformation mechanism on Titan's surface, driven by diurnal tidal stresses and pore fluid pressures. The researchers found that shallow faults near the equator are optimally oriented for potential failure, which could facilitate material transport and affect habitability.
Scientists have determined the age of the Chang'e-5 moon rocks to be approximately 1.97 billion years old, closing a 2-billion-year gap in lunar sample dating. This precision is crucial for calibrating chronology tools and studying the moon's volcanic history.
A new study by Dr. Benjamin Byron demonstrates the ability of the Lyman-Alpha Mapping Project to determine the composition of lunar surface areas using far-UV light reflectance. This method normalizes surface maturity features, revealing a close correlation with composition maps from other regions.
A study of metal-rich asteroids has found that they have surfaces with 85% metal such as iron and nickel, similar to stony-iron meteorites. The research also identified four possible asteroid families in the main asteroid belt, which may hold clues about their origins.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the angle of repose of sand hills, which is influenced by particle size and gravity. The model was validated using simulations and has potential applications in space exploration, additive manufacturing, and planetary science.
The Dragonfly mission will investigate Titan's surface and atmosphere, searching for chemical biosignatures and exploring the moon's active methane cycle. By analyzing the prebiotic chemistry currently taking place in Titan's atmosphere and on its surface, scientists hope to gain insights into the potential for life on the moon.
A team at the Natural History Museum is testing spectral instruments for the ExoMars rover to identify meteorites on Mars. The rover's success rate is significantly higher than dedicated meteorite hunts on Earth, with one meteorite found per kilometre travelled.
New analysis of Venus' surface reveals evidence of tectonic motion in the form of crustal blocks that have jostled against each other. The movement of these blocks could indicate that Venus is still geologically active and give scientists insight into both exoplanet tectonics and the earliest tectonic activity on Earth.
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 at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) develop a new method for real-time seismic imaging using acoustic waves. This breakthrough improves image resolution and accuracy, enabling faster and more efficient exploration of subsurface structures.
A global climate model simulation suggests that a cloud greenhouse effect could have warmed early Mars to support liquid surface water, with low clouds and warm stable climates emerging near surface water-ice patches. The results are consistent with geological data indicating a warm, arid early climate for the planet.
A recent study found that much of considered 'intact habitat' is missing species due to human impact. However, restoring certain species through reintroduction could potentially increase ecological integrity to up to 20% of the planet's land surface.
The study found that dry ice sublimation can form unique radial systems on Mars' surface, similar to spiders. The experiments showed that the Leidenfrost Effect plays a crucial role in eroding the spider patterns, which were more branched with finer grain sizes.
Scientists have discovered a super-Earth called Gliese 486b orbiting a nearby red dwarf star. The planet's composition is similar to that of Venus or Earth, with metallic nuclei inside it. Its atmosphere may be thin and hot, making it an ideal candidate for studying planetary atmospheres.
More than half of Earth's river basins have undergone significant changes in biodiversity due to human activities such as overfishing, pollution and climate change. Conservation efforts must focus on both protected and degraded areas to meet the goal of preserving at least 30% of Earth's surface by 2030.
A new study reveals that mountain formation was paused for nearly a billion years during Earth's middle age, leading to a decline in crustal thickness and potentially halting life evolution. The prolonged orogenic quiescence may have resulted from the long-lived Nuna-Rodina supercontinent altering the thermal structure of the mantle.
A new framework has been developed to understand the interiors of super-Earths, which is crucial for assessing their potential for habitability. The study found that under extreme conditions, bridgmanite has a high melting point, which could impact interior dynamics.
Researchers have created the largest image ever made of Mars' surface, mapping three billion-year-old sedimentary rocks and identifying 18 new fluvial ridges. The study provides unprecedented insight into ancient river systems on Mars, which could prove valuable targets for future exploration of past climates and tectonics.
Researchers created maps of where brines are most likely to be found on Mars by considering global weather patterns and multiple phase changes. Favorable conditions for stable brines are mostly in mid- to high-northern latitudes, large impact craters in the southern hemisphere, and shallow subsurface near the equator.
A team of scientists discovered ancient zircon minerals in a Martian meteorite that date back to 4.5 billion years ago, but also contain younger ages suggesting volcanic activity in the northern hemisphere. The zircons' hafnium isotope composition reveals a primitive reservoir in Mars' interior, unchanged since the planet's formation.
Researchers analyzed zircon crystals from a Martian meteorite, discovering ages ranging from 4.485 to 1.548 billion years, suggesting heavy bombardment and volcanic activity on Mars. The findings imply a previously unrecognized primitive mantle reservoir and significant implications for Mars' tectonic history.
Researchers developed artificial soil mixtures that mimic materials found on Mars, evaluating their fertility and potential for plant growth. The study found that Martian soils may be challenging to use due to textures and nutrient availability, but also identified potential solutions using Earth-based agricultural science.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory's production of ORNL-produced plutonium-238 enables the Perseverance rover to power its journey across Mars. The lab has been consistently increasing its Pu-238 production capabilities, aiming to produce 1.5 kilograms per year by 2026.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered 37 recently active volcanic structures on Venus, suggesting the planet's interior is still churning. The study provides evidence that Venus is no longer a dormant planet and may hold clues to its geological development.
KELT-9 b experiences two summers and two winters every year due to its unique polar orbit around an extremely hot star. The planet's atmosphere streams away into space as it receives 44,000 times more energy from its star than Earth does from the Sun.
A new study published in Geology has discovered two newly identified super-eruptions associated with the Yellowstone hotspot, indicating a possible decline in its intensity. The Grey's Landing super-eruption is now the largest recorded event of the entire Snake-River-Yellowstone volcanic province.
Cornell University astronomers have developed a practical model to tease out climate clues for potentially habitable exoplanets. By analyzing the effects of planetary surface color and light from its host star, they can calculate a climate, providing valuable insights into the detectable spectra of Earth-like planets.
Researchers tracked Venus' atmospheric clouds and winds using Akatsuki data to estimate forces sustaining super-rotation. Thermal tides from solar heating near the equator are found to provide required angular momentum
A team of researchers led by Cédric Gillmann found that water on Earth has been there since its formation, likely buried deep in the planet. This discovery challenges previous ideas about the origin of water and has implications for habitability of ancient planets.
The SEIS seismometer has measured over 174 probable 'Mars quakes', providing valuable data on the planet's composition. The analysis indicates a layer of rock 10 kilometres thick, with waves spreading at relatively slow speeds, suggesting fissured or chemically altered rock.
A new study proposes that the first building blocks of life on Earth were not uniform but rather patchwork molecules containing bits of RNA and DNA. The 'RNA World' hypothesis has been revised to suggest a Frankenstein-like beginning, with RNA emerging from a mixture of nucleotides.
Researchers used MAVEN data to map global circulation of Mars' upper atmosphere, providing insights into the planet's climate stability and atmospheric waves. The study reveals simpler circulation patterns than Earth's, with stable winds over Martian seasons.
Véronique Dehant's research aims to understand Mars' core, which is essential for determining the planet's habitability and potential for life. The ExoMars mission will collect Martian radio science data and analyze the planet's rotation to gain insights into its innards.
The three Mars rovers, including NASA's Perseverance rover, ExoMars rover, and China's HX-1 rover, will analyze rocks and soil for evidence of life on the Red Planet. The missions aim to determine whether life could have existed on Mars in the past.
A new study reveals nearly 2 million square kilometers of global protected areas have been downgraded since 1892, with 90% of recent US events linked to industrial-scale development. The report warns that these changes could embolden other countries and threaten conservation efforts worldwide.
Scientists discover a vast, well-preserved collection of meteorites aged over two million years, providing insights into the rate of falling meteorites. The discovery, made in the Atacama Desert, reveals that the meteorite flux has remained constant over time.
A new publication outlines objectives for Mars Sample Return campaign, providing a blueprint for answering key questions about Mars. The University of Alberta is home to a vast collection of meteorites and experts like Chris Herd emphasize the importance of returning samples from Mars with context.
Natura 2000, a European Union-based conservation network, is proposed as a possible route to better landscape preservation. The network relies on strong governance, flexible designations, and scientific expertise to produce reliable conservation outcomes.
Research led by UT Austin found that Ceres' crust keeps cryomagma liquid for up to 10 million years after impact, contradicting earlier estimates. The discovery helps scientists understand primary forces driving volcanic activity and could shed light on Europa's potential for life.
A team led by SwRI has concluded that Ceres' surface is rich in organic matter, containing several times more carbon than primitive meteorites found on Earth. The surface's unique mineralogy and rock-water interactions suggest a cold environment formation process.
Scott Bolton, associate vice president of SwRI's Space Science and Engineering Division, receives the 2018 American Ingenuity Award from Smithsonian Magazine for his work on NASA's Juno mission. The mission has revealed complex, turbulent structures around Jupiter, including iconic belts and zones, Earth-sized cyclones, and a lumpy mag...
A team of researchers from CU Boulder has discovered that stagnant slabs, which form when oceanic plates are forced deep underground, may be caused by a thin layer of weak material at the boundary of the planet's upper and lower mantle. This discovery could change how scientists think about tectonics and volcanism on Earth's surface.
Researchers discovered Pluto's dunes on the boundary of a major mountain range, likely formed by methane ice grain sublimation and transported by moderate winds. The unique features suggest recent formation within the last 500,000 years.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will study the ocean's twilight zone using next-generation robotic vehicles and sensors. The project aims to understand the region's ecosystem, its potential benefits for humanity, and its impact on climate regulation.
Researchers used NASA's Juno spacecraft data to reveal that Jupiter's colorful bands are not just surface phenomena, but significant strata extending 3,000 km deep. The analysis shows that Jupiter's atmosphere is only 1% of its total mass, a surprising discovery.
Research found that GEOS-5-assimilated planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) and relative humidity (RH) vary significantly across China's four regions, with Tibetan Plateau having the highest PBLH values and South China the lowest RH. Seasonal variations also played a crucial role in shaping these patterns.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a multi-legged robot that replicates the locomotion patterns of cockroaches, allowing it to traverse large gaps and bumps with increased efficiency. By studying the movement principles of these insects, the team aims to create robots that can navigate complex, cluttered terrain.
A global network of 1,000 ground stations is proposed to track environmental interactions and link with satellite data for comprehensive monitoring. The initiative aims to address climate change, air pollution, and other environmental challenges by providing a cohesive dataset.