In the "Star Wars" universe, ice, ocean and desert planets burst from the darkness as your ship drops out of light speed. But these worlds might be more than just science fiction.
Astronomy
Dec 16, 2016
6
163
The most ancient kinds of microbes on Earth often have a special filament lining their surfaces. Scientists are discovering that these structures can play a variety of roles in helping microorganisms survive the most hostile ...
Cell & Microbiology
Apr 5, 2016
0
7
The search for radio signals from alien worlds is expanding to 20,000 star systems that were previously considered poor targets for intelligent extraterrestrial life, US researchers said Wednesday.
Astronomy
Mar 30, 2016
11
1628
On the hunt for alien worlds that might support life, NASA's unmanned Cassini spacecraft has survived its closest-ever dive through the icy spray coming from Saturn's moon Enceladus.
Space Exploration
Oct 29, 2015
3
182
"Cloudy for the morning, turning to clear with scorching heat in the afternoon."
Astronomy
May 12, 2015
0
1305
A telescope will soon allow astronomers to probe the atmosphere of Earthlike exoplanets for signs of life. To prepare, Lisa Kaltenegger and her team are modeling the atmospheric fingerprints for hundreds of potential alien ...
Astronomy
Feb 17, 2015
2
85
(Phys.org) —On Earth, life leaves telltale signals in the atmosphere. Photosynthesis is ultimately responsible for the high oxygen levels and the thick ozone layer. Microbes emit methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, ...
Astronomy
Sep 10, 2013
5
0
Planet hunters keep finding distant worlds that bear a resemblance to Earth. Some of the thousands of exoplanet candidates discovered to date have similar sizes or temperatures. Others possess rocky surfaces and support atmospheres. ...
Astronomy
Sep 3, 2013
7
0
Photosynthesis—the harvesting of sunlight to produce energy—is the ultimate driver of virtually all life on the surface of our planet. Most photosynthetic creatures rely on optical light, the kind we see, to energize ...
Earth Sciences
Jun 7, 2013
4
0
Hairspray might one day serve as the sign that aliens have reshaped distant worlds, researchers say. Such research to find signs of alien technology is now open to funding from the public.
Astronomy
Nov 22, 2012
4
1
