Venus ate its moon
Venus, Earth's twin planet, lacks a rocky satellite due to its slow spin and gravity, which causes a moon to collapse and crash into the planet. The discovery sheds light on the planet's evolution and potential habitability.
Solar System Evolution
Articles tagged with Solar System Evolution
Media invitation: Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) 2026
The Europlanet Science Congress 2026 will cover various topics in planetary research, including the Solar System, exoplanets, and artificial intelligence. The conference will feature over 125 scientific sessions and keynote talks, with around 1200 planetary scientists attending from 40 countries.
SwRI-led research connects asteroid collision to impact showers 800 million years ago
A Southwest Research Institute-led study proposes a connection between an asteroid collision and an inner-solar-system-wide bombardment episode 800 million years ago. The research suggests that the catastrophic breakup of the Eulalia parent body may have led to widespread impacts on Earth, coinciding with biological and geological chan...
SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 15, 2026
New experiments and modeling on iron meteorites provide insight into young solar system and Earth’s building blocks
Phosphorus and nitrogen, two elements necessary for life, were found in distinct ratios in asteroidal bodies related to iron meteorites compared to younger asteroids. Researchers recreated the crystallization of iron meteorites in the lab and analyzed their chemical composition, which suggested that these life-essential elements origin...
Different meteorites, same birthplace
Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research identified the ring-shaped region outside Jupiter's orbit as a 'pluripotent' planetesimal breeding ground. Computer simulations show diverse populations of planetesimals can form over millions of years, establishing a connection to specific groups of meteorites.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Solar System Research·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 22, 2026
Patchwork planets: Piecing together the early solar system
Researchers propose that high-energy collisions and core formation triggered chemical changes, shaping the earliest outer solar system planetesimals. The study suggests a more dynamic and complex pathway to planetary formation.
Tim Lichtenberg, Benoit Carry and Jean Schneider honored by new Europlanet career medals
Three planetary scientists have been awarded Europlanet Career Medals for their contributions to planetary science. Dr Tim Lichtenberg received the Early-Career Medal for his work on planetary formation and exoplanet evolution, while Dr Benoit Carry won the Mid-Career Medal for his research on asteroid structures and planetary defence.
Scientists date the origin of Jupiter by studying the formation of “molten rock raindrops”
Researchers at Nagoya University and the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics have determined how molten rock droplets formed in Jupiter's early days. Their study shows that chondrule characteristics are influenced by the water content of impacting planetesimals, providing a clearer picture of solar system formation.
SourceNagoya University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2025
Two different types of asteroids may actually share same origin story
Researchers find shared dusty layer of troilite on M- and K-type asteroids, suggesting they originated from similar large objects. Polarization studies reveal unique composition linking these distinct asteroid types.
As NASA missions study interstellar comet, Hubble makes size estimate
The Hubble Space Telescope has captured the sharpest-ever picture of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, allowing astronomers to estimate its size and physical properties. The comet's solid, icy nucleus is estimated to be between 1,000 feet and 3.5 miles across.
SwRI scientists contribute to uncovering ongoing surface modification on Jupiter’s moon Europa
New data from the James Webb Space Telescope suggests that Europa's icy surface is constantly changing due to interactions with charged particles. Laboratory experiments also found evidence of crystalline ice beneath the amorphous ice layer, indicating a possible liquid ocean beneath the surface.
SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMay 28, 2025
Evidence blasted into space: Mystery why some meteorites look less shocked solved
A Kobe University study finds that carbon-containing meteorites appear less shocked because gases produced during impacts are ejected into space, revealing a new understanding of shock metamorphism. The team's guidelines for future missions also predict the accumulation of highly-shocked material on dwarf planet Ceres.
UCF scientists use James Webb Space Telescope to better understand solar system’s origins
Researchers analyzed Trans-Neptunian Objects using the James Webb Space Telescope, finding two distinct groups with varying surface ice methanol presence. The discovery sheds light on the formation and evolution of these distant icy worlds, revealing insights into the solar system's origins and potentially habitable exoplanets.
Combination of cosmic processes shapes the size and location of sub-Neptunes
Researchers used TESS data to identify close-in sub-Neptunes and found that their frequency changes over time, suggesting a combination of processes shaping their formation and evolution. The study provides clues about the properties of these planets and addresses long-standing questions about their origins.
SwRI-led PUNCH constellation launches
The PUNCH spacecraft will study the solar corona and track space weather events in three dimensions for the first time. The constellation includes four small suitcase-sized spacecraft that will provide a clear view of the Sun's outer atmosphere, allowing scientists to discern the exact trajectory and speed of coronal mass ejections.
Rice research on super-Earths and mini-Neptunes suggests more Earth-like planets may exist
Using advanced simulations, researchers Sho Shibata and Andre Izidoro suggest that super-Earths and mini-Neptunes form from distinct rings of planetesimals, providing fresh insight into planetary evolution. Their model replicates key features of exoplanetary systems, including the radius valley and 'peas-in-a-pod' pattern.
Astronomer finds gas giant exoplanets formed earlier than previously thought
New research reveals that exoplanets with masses similar to Jupiter formed much sooner than previously thought, suggesting the accretion process takes place early. This finding could lead scientists to re-evaluate and revamp their theories of planet formation for the solar system and elsewhere.
James Webb Telescope reveals planet-forming disks can last longer than previously thought
The discovery of a long-lived planet-forming disk around the star WISE J0446B reveals that disks can persist for three times longer than expected. The study provides new insights into planetary formation and the habitability of planets outside our solar system, particularly for low-mass stars.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 4, 2025
ASU forges new strategic partnership to solve the mystery of how planets are formed
A new collaboration between ASU, MSU, and LLNL aims to answer the question of how planets form by analyzing the atmospheres of seven young exoplanets. The team will use the James Webb Space Telescope and powerful computers to create atmospheric models that can reveal insights into planetary formation and evolution.
Want some salt with that?
Researchers found evidence of sodium carbonate, halite, and sodium sulfates on Ryugu, indicating liquid saline water once existed within its parent body. This discovery provides insights into the chemical history of Ryugu and sheds light on the loss of liquid water in the outer Solar System.
Meteorite discovery challenges long-held theories on Earth’s missing elements
A new study reveals that first-generation planetesimals in the inner solar system were rich in moderately volatile elements, which were later lost during violent cosmic collisions. This discovery reshapes our understanding of how planets acquired their ingredients.
SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 5, 2025
Traces of ancient brine discovered on the asteroid Bennu contain minerals crucial to life
Scientists have discovered complex structures and compounds in asteroid Bennu samples that suggest extraterrestrial brines played a crucial role in the development of organic compounds. The findings indicate that similar brines may still exist on other asteroids and dwarf planets, holding secrets to understanding life's origins.
Pristine asteroid samples reveal secrets of the ancient solar system
Researchers gained insight into the early history of the solar system through well-preserved asteroid samples. The analysis revealed a variety of salts, including sodium carbonates, phosphates, sulphates, and chlorides, which formed from evaporation of brines. These findings may provide clues about the presence of life on distant icy b...
Texas A&M researchers illuminate the mysteries of icy ocean worlds
Researchers from Texas A&M University have introduced a novel thermodynamic concept called the 'centotectic,' which investigates the stability of liquids in extreme conditions. The study provides critical information for determining the habitability of icy moons like Europa, with potential implications for planetary exploration efforts.
James Webb space telescope offers best glimpse ever into the icy planetesimals of the early solar system
Researchers at the University of Central Florida used the James Webb Space Telescope to analyze trans-Neptunian objects, revealing a clearer picture of how the outer solar system formed and evolved. The study found three distinct compositional groups among TNOs, shaped by ice retention lines that existed in the era when the solar syste...
SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateDec 19, 2024
MIT astronomers find the smallest asteroids ever detected in the main belt
A new detection method has been used to identify over 100 small asteroids in the main asteroid belt, ranging from bus-sized to stadium-wide. This breakthrough could aid in tracking potential asteroid impactors and provide insights into meteorite origins.
The Moon’s biggest and most ancient crater is more circular than previously thought
Researchers at University of Maryland have discovered that the South Pole-Aitken basin, the moon's oldest and largest visible crater, is more circular than previously believed. The team used high-resolution data to analyze mountain formations around the basin, revealing a rounder shape indicating a more vertical impact angle.
Scientists compile library for evaluating exoplanet water
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.
Scientists discover molecules that store much of the carbon in space
A team at MIT discovered pyrene, a large carbon-containing molecule, in a distant interstellar cloud. The finding supports the PAH hypothesis and suggests that pyrene may have contributed to the formation of our solar system's chemical inventory.
A new birthplace for asteroid Ryugu
Researchers discover that asteroid Ryugu, a carbon-rich meteorite, shares a rare ingredient with material formed at the outer edge of the Solar System. The findings challenge previous ideas about the formation of asteroids and require a rethinking of the origin of the CI chondrites group.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Solar System Research·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2024
Volcanoes may help reveal interior heat on Jupiter moon
Astronomers at Cornell University studied Io's volcanoes to understand tidal heating and its role in planetary formation. They found active volcanoes at the poles, which may regulate tidal heating and provide insight into the moon's internal structure.
Researchers discover a space oddity – an exoplanet moving in mysterious ways
A research team at Lund University has discovered a small exoplanet, TOI-1408c, with an unusual orbital motion that deviates from predicted behavior. The planet's interactions with its star and other planets offer insights into the complexity of planetary system formation.
Tracking down the asteroid that sealed the fate of the dinosaurs
A team of geoscientists has identified the origin of the massive asteroid that wiped out 70% of Earth's species 66 million years ago. The study found the asteroid was a carbonaceous-type asteroid that formed outside Jupiter's orbit.
Another intermediate-mass black hole discovered at the centre of our galaxy
Researchers found an intermediate-mass black hole in star cluster IRS 13 near SgrA*, suggesting it could be a 'seed' for the central supermassive black hole. The discovery provides insights into the galaxy's evolution and the formation of intermediate-mass black holes.
Building materials for water-rich planets in the early solar system
Research led by Heidelberg University reveals that small water-rich astronomical bodies in the early solar system supplied building materials for planets, including the Earth. These planetesimals brought water to Earth through their thermal evolution and point of origin.
Glimpses of a volcanic world: New telescope images of Jupiter's moon Io rival those from spacecraft
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.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMay 30, 2024
Scientists discover CO2 and CO ices in outskirts of solar system
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.
International planet hunters unveil massive catalog of strange worlds
The NASA TESS-Keck Survey catalog features 126 exotic planets with detailed measurements allowing for comparisons with our solar system. Several planets stand out as touchstones for deepening astronomers' understanding of planetary formation and evolution.
UH astronomers uncover array of strange exoplanet worlds
A team of UH astronomers has discovered a diverse range of exotic exoplanets using the TESS-Keck Survey, which provides new insights into their properties and environments. The study reveals rare worlds with extreme environments and potentially habitable planets.
SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateMay 23, 2024
UCF student’s comparative analysis of primitive asteroids provides context for further research, future NASA missions
A UCF student's study of 25 members of the Erigone family of primitive asteroids has provided context for further research into the solar system's history. The data analysis suggests that these asteroids carry traces of their origins and may have delivered water to Earth, with implications for future NASA missions.
Hubble goes hunting for small main belt asteroids
The study used a trove of archived Hubble images to identify the asteroids, working with citizen scientists and machine learning algorithms. The discovery provides insights into the formation and evolution of the asteroid belt, suggesting that smaller fragments may be remnants of larger asteroids that have collided.
SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateApr 18, 2024
Dating the Solar System’s giant planet orbital instability using enstatite meteorites’
A University of Leicester-led study suggests that the orbital instability of the giant planets in our Solar System occurred between 60-100 million years after its beginning, based on analysis of enstatite meteorites. This instability is believed to have led to the formation of the Moon and may have impacted the habitability of Earth.
How the moon turned itself inside out
Researchers at the University of Arizona used computer simulations and spacecraft data to study the moon's geology, finding that a dense layer of titanium-rich material sank into the interior and rose on the near side. The findings suggest that the moon 'turned itself inside out' during its formation.
Distant ‘space snowman’ unlocks mystery of how some dormant deep space objects become ‘ice bombs’
A new study on comets suggests that Kuiper Belt Objects like Arrokoth may contain ancient ices from billions of years ago. Researchers found a domino effect where the object's interior gets colder, preserving volatile gases for billions of years.
Cosmic building blocks of life discovered through the electron microscope
A team from the University of Münster has detected biologically relevant nitrogen compounds and amino acids in an untreated English meteorite. The findings were made possible by a new type of detector design and high-resolution electron microscopy, offering insights into the origins of life on Earth.
Fledgling planets discovered around a newly formed star
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.
UC Irvine-led team unravels mysteries of planet formation and evolution in distant solar system
Astronomers at the University of California, Irvine, have compiled precise measurements of six exoplanets in a recently discovered solar system. The team used a combination of radial velocity analysis and transit timing variations to determine the planets' masses and orbital properties.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 26, 2024
UTSA researchers reveal faint features in galaxy NGC 5728 though JWST image techniques
Researchers at UTSA's Department of Physics and Astronomy have used deconvolution algorithms to enhance images of galaxy NGC 5728 obtained by the James Webb Space Telescope. The study reveals a faint extended feature that could be part of an outflow from a supermassive black hole interacting with the host galaxy.
Meteorite analysis shows Earth's building blocks contained water
Researchers found that iron meteorites from the inner and outer solar systems had similar amounts of missing iron metal, suggesting that water was present in planetesimals right from the start. This challenges current models, which predict cooler temperatures for the inner solar system or formation further out.
Three iron rings in a planet-forming disk
Researchers detected complex structure with three concentric rings in the innermost region of the disk, rich in dust and minerals. The discovery suggests two planets may be forming within the gaps, with masses similar to Jupiter.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Astronomy·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2024
Ryugu samples illuminate terrestrial weathering effects on primitive meteorites
A groundbreaking study on Ryugu samples has revealed the impact of terrestrial weathering on primitive meteorite spectra. The findings suggest that actual CI chondrite parent bodies likely exhibit darker and flatter reflectance spectra than previously thought.
Giant doubts about giant exomoons
New research from the Max Planck Institute challenges previous claims of giant exomoons around Kepler-1625b and Kepler-1708b. The study uses a computer algorithm to analyze observations, finding that 'planet-only' interpretations are more conclusive than initially thought.
Astronomers determine the age of three mysterious baby stars at the heart of the Milky Way
Researchers at Lund University have determined the age of three mysterious baby stars at the heart of the Milky Way, finding them to be 100 million to 1 billion years old. The stars' unusual chemical composition also surprised the team, indicating that the galaxy's center may be inhomogeneous.
Exploring the origin of nucleosynthetic isotope variations in Ryugu samples
The study found that Ryugu and CIs share a common genetic heritage, but the asteroid's Cr isotopes exhibit anomalies that could be caused by water-driven processes. These anomalies are thought to have arisen from the physicochemical fractionation of presolar nanoparticles and secondary minerals.
Venus had Earth-like plate tectonics billions of years ago, study suggests
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.
SourceBrown University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 26, 2023
Plot thickens in hunt for ninth planet
Researchers find evidence supporting Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) as an alternative to Planet Nine hypothesis. MOND predicts precise orbital clustering in the outer solar system, which could be indicative of a modified law of gravity at play.
SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateOct 5, 2023
Violent atmosphere allows rare look at the early life of a planet
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.
SwRI-led team finds ancient, high-energy impacts could have fueled Venus volcanism
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.
Flaring star could be down to young planet’s disc inferno
Researchers suggest a massive young planet is burning up in a superheated soup of raw material swirling around it, causing the star to flare. The simulation reveals a 'disc inferno' process where the planet's atmosphere ignites, feeding the star and making it shine brighter.
SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 12, 2023
How did Earth get its water?
Researchers propose that early interactions between the magma ocean and a molecular hydrogen proto-atmosphere could have given rise to Earth's signature features, including its abundant water. The study suggests that even dry rocky material collisions would generate large quantities of water through these atmospheric-magma interactions.
SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 12, 2023