News tagged with life on other planets

Spitzer sees the light of alien 'super earth'

(Phys.org) -- NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected light emanating from a "super-Earth" planet beyond our solar system for the first time. While the planet is not habitable, the detection is a historic ...

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created May 08, 2012 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (18) | comments 16 | with audio podcast

Asteroid sites hint at life on Mars

(Phys.org) -- Craters made by asteroid impacts may be the best place to look for signs of life on other planets, a study suggests.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Apr 16, 2012 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (10) | comments 2

The MIRI infrared instrument has two faces

A short new video takes viewers behind the scenes with the MIRI or the Mid-Infrared Instrument that will fly on-board NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. MIRI is a state-of-the-art infrared instrument that ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Mar 29, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

Fossil raindrop impressions imply greenhouse gases loaded early Earth's atmosphere

In ancient Earth history, the sun burned as much as 30 percent dimmer than it does now. Theoretically that should have encased the planet in ice, but there is geologic evidence for rivers and ocean sediments ...

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created Mar 28, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 4 | with audio podcast

First-ever use of airborne resistivity system in Antarctica allows researchers to look beneath surface in untapped terri

(PhysOrg.com) -- National Science Foundation- (NSF) funded researchers have successfully tested equipment to map the hidden distribution of groundwater and ice in the McMurdo Dry Valleys region for the first ...

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created Mar 23, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Far-out photosynthesis

Photosynthesis maintains Earth's habitability for life as we know it, and shapes the way we search for habitable worlds around distant stars. Scientists have discovered a microbe that can use low-energy light ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Mar 16, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (6) | comments 7 | with audio podcast

In scientific coup, Russians reach Antarctic lake

After more than two decades of drilling in Antarctica, Russian scientists have reached a gigantic freshwater lake hidden under miles of ice for some 20 million years - a pristine body of water that may hold ...

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created Feb 08, 2012 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (8) | comments 6

Hearty bacteria help make case for life in the extreme

(PhysOrg.com) -- The bottom of a glacier is not the most hospitable place on Earth, but at least two types of bacteria happily live there, according to researchers.

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Jan 19, 2012 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (4) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

In search of virus fossils

Here's a theory for a comedian to consider: dinosaurs done-in by avian flu. Silly as that may be, we imagine that viruses have been infecting organisms since life first appeared on Earth, but this is mostly ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Oct 19, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Venus has an ozone layer too: probe finds

(PhysOrg.com) -- ESA's Venus Express spacecraft has discovered an ozone layer high in the atmosphere of Venus. Comparing its properties with those of the equivalent layers on Earth and Mars will help astronomers ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Oct 06, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (13) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Onstott's discovery of worms in Earth's depths raises questions about life in space

After digging holes in the Earth's crust for nearly two decades, Princeton University geoscientist Tullis Onstott is now making headlines for unearthing "worms from hell."

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Jul 12, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (11) | comments 7 | with audio podcast

Penn State expert determined to find life on Earth-like planets

Thanks to popular Hollywood films like "E.T.," "Avatar" and "Super 8," life on other planets seems highly conceivable to people who have considered the idea that we are not alone in the universe. Jim Kasting, distinguished ...

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created Jun 17, 2011 | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 5

Online tools are increasing the speed at which scientists make discoveries

Not all research papers receive their own hashtag on Twitter. But #arseniclife (as it was dubbed in tweets) was no ordinary paper.

Other Sciences / Other

created Jun 15, 2011 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (3) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Seeing the planets for the trees

A recent study says that a particular mathematical technique could be used to detect forests on extrasolar planets.

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created May 20, 2011 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (14) | comments 13 | with audio podcast

NASA's Spaceward Bound takes teachers trekking across the Mojave desert

What clues found on Earth do NASA scientists use to help them deduce that there may be life on other planets? Can the same process be applied in the classroom to inspire and motivate the next generation of ...

Other Sciences / Social Sciences

created May 09, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0