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Planetary Sciences news
Oldest direct evidence of hot water activity on Mars found
New Curtin University-led research has uncovered what may be the oldest direct evidence of ancient hot water activity on Mars, revealing the planet may have been habitable at some point in its past.
Astrobiology
Nov 22, 2024
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Niagara fireball event leads to discovery of tiniest known asteroid
In an international study led by Western University and Lowell Observatory, scientists describe a pioneering, integrative approach for studying near-Earth asteroids based largely on a November 2022 fireball event that dropped ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 22, 2024
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Ryugu asteroid sample rapidly colonized by terrestrial life despite strict contamination control
Panspermia is the hypothesis that life can survive the transfer between planetary bodies as a secondary path for life to get started on planets throughout a solar system. The discovery of extraterrestrial life on asteroids ...
Scientists construct first complete energy spectrum of solar high-energy protons in Martian space
Scientists have constructed the first complete proton energy spectrum observed during an eruptive solar event in Martian space, deepening our understanding of the radiation environment around Mars.
Astronomy
Nov 22, 2024
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Astronomers detect a distant young super-Jupiter exoplanet
An international team of astronomers has reported the detection of a new super-Jupiter exoplanet as part of the Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS). The newfound alien world, located some 1,430 light years away, is nearly ...
Researchers probe ancient wood for clues about massive solar storms
The Northern Lights were visible much farther south than usual this year, and pictures of the colorful hues filled social media. Now, imagine an aurora hundreds of times brighter—except no one would be able to snap a photo ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 21, 2024
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NASA ocean world explorers have to swim before they can fly
When NASA's Europa Clipper reaches its destination in 2030, the spacecraft will prepare to aim an array of powerful science instruments toward Jupiter's moon Europa during 49 flybys, looking for signs that the ocean beneath ...
Space Exploration
Nov 20, 2024
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Making Mars's moons: Supercomputers offer 'disruptive' new explanation
A NASA study using a series of supercomputer simulations reveals a potential new solution to a longstanding Martian mystery: How did Mars get its moons? The first step, the findings say, may have involved the destruction ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 20, 2024
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Canada's first moon rover will soon have a name as it prepares to explore a hostile lunar region
The Canadian Space Agency announced a competition today to name Canada's first-ever rover mission to the moon. This unmanned mission will explore the south polar region of the moon to search for water ice and explore its ...
Space Exploration
Nov 20, 2024
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Young planet discovery could provide new insight into planet formation
The detection of a giant planet that transits a very young star is reported in Nature. The findings indicate that this is the youngest transiting planet found to date.
Planetary Sciences
Nov 20, 2024
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Hollywood techniques help NASA visualize supercomputing data
Captivating images and videos can bring data to life. NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS) produces visualizations, animations, and images to help scientists tell stories of their research and make science more approachable ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 19, 2024
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Mars Curiosity rover takes a last look at mysterious sulfur
NASA's Curiosity rover is preparing for the next leg of its journey, a months-long trek to a formation called the boxwork, a set of weblike patterns on Mars's surface that stretches for miles. It will soon leave behind Gediz ...
Astrobiology
Nov 18, 2024
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Statistical approach improves models of atmosphere on early Earth and exoplanets
As energy from the sun reaches Earth, some solar radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere, leading to chemical reactions like the formation of ozone and the breakup of gas molecules. A new approach for modeling these reactions, ...
Astrobiology
Nov 18, 2024
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The best way to find planet nine might be hundreds of tiny telescopes
Ever since William Herschel discovered Uranus in 1781, astronomers have been eager to find new planets on the outer edge of the solar system. But after the discovery of Neptune in 1846, we've found no other large planets. ...
Astronomy
Nov 18, 2024
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What's behind the Martian methane mystery?
The seasonal variations of methane in the Martian atmosphere is an intriguing clue that there might be life hiding under the surface of the red planet. But we won't know for sure until we go digging for it.
Astrobiology
Nov 18, 2024
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New lunar map can help guide future sample return missions
Billions of years ago, a giant asteroid struck the moon with so much energy that it melted rock until it was super-heated and white-hot, or what scientists call impact melt. This eventually cooled and hardened, creating a ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 18, 2024
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Volcanic caves research advances the search for life on Mars
Through the intricate study of lava tubes—caves formed following volcanic eruptions when lava cools down—an international team of researchers has uncovered clues about Earth's ancient environments that could be significant ...
Astrobiology
Nov 18, 2024
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Citizen scientists help explain magenta aurora over Japan
Citizen scientists in Japan enabled researchers to learn why May 2024's aurora appeared a magenta color over the country. This effort in extending research beyond academies and laboratories has greater consequences for humanity ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 18, 2024
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A new way to detect daisy worlds
The daisy world model describes a hypothetical planet that self-regulates, maintaining a delicate balance involving its biogeochemical cycles, climate, and feedback loops that keep it habitable. It's associated with the Gaia ...
Planetary Sciences
Nov 16, 2024
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Solar wind power likely governs Uranus' thermosphere temperature
Uranus's upper atmosphere has been cooling for decades—and now scientists have shown why. Observations from Earth have shown Uranus' upper atmosphere has been cooling for decades, with no clear explanation.
Planetary Sciences
Nov 15, 2024
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More news
Scientists compile library for evaluating exoplanet water
Mapping changes in the ionosphere with smartphones
Student-led study reveals extraterrestrial explosions may blow hot and cold
A new mission to Pluto could answer the questions raised by New Horizons
Meteorite contains evidence of liquid water on Mars 742 million years ago
Spacecraft completed for NASA's TRACERS mission, key milestone passed
Philae's extraordinary comet landing relived
Happy New Year on Mars
A mission to Triton and Neptune could unlock their mysteries
Mining old data from NASA's Voyager 2 solves several Uranus mysteries
Other news
'e-Drive': New gene drive reverses insecticide resistance in pests... then disappears
Fossil discovery reveals giant worm lizard with snail-cracking jaws
Prototype lenses can block epileptic-seizure causing wavelengths
New technique points to unexpected uses for snoRNA across many cell types
AI-enhanced model could improve space weather forecasting
Powerful new US-Indian satellite will track Earth's changing surface
Chinese rover finds evidence of ancient Martian ocean
Proba-3 will constantly measure Sun's energy output
Scientists develop novel high-fidelity quantum computing gate
Nano-patterned copper oxide sensor provides rapid ultra-low hydrogen detection
Parasaurolophus pipes: Modeling the dinosaur's crest to study its sound
