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Planetary Sciences news
Ice and fire: Antarctic volcano may hold clues to life on Mars
On Deception Island in Antarctica, steam rises from the beaches, and glaciers dot the black slopes of what is actually an active volcano—a rare clash of ice and fire that provides clues to scientists about what life could ...
Planetary Sciences
1 hour ago
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Asteroid making its closest approach to Earth this week
On 4 February, asteroid 2011 MD will make its closest approach to the Earth. Though it will not be visible with the naked eye, the asteroid will pass 15,000,000 km away from Earth—much closer than those in the asteroid ...
Astronomy
3 hours ago
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Neptune-like exoplanets can be cloudy or clear: New findings suggest the reason why
The study of "exoplanets," the sci-fi-sounding name for all planets in the cosmos beyond our own solar system, is a fairly new field. Mainly, exoplanet researchers like those in the ExoLab at the University of Kansas use ...
Planetary Sciences
4 hours ago
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NASA to study effects of radio noise on lunar science
In February 2024, Intuitive Machines' IM-1 mission will launch to the moon's South Polar region, as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. This mission is part of the CLPS ongoing effort to bring ...
Planetary Sciences
Feb 1, 2024
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How did life get started on Earth? Atmospheric haze might have been the key
A recent study accepted to The Planetary Science Journal and currently posted to the arXiv preprint server investigates how the organic hazes that existed on Earth between the planet's initial formation and 500 million years ...
Astrobiology
Feb 1, 2024
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Webb directly images two planets orbiting white dwarfs
In several billion years, our sun will become a white dwarf. What will happen to Jupiter and Saturn when the sun transitions to become a stellar remnant? Life could go on, though the giant planets will likely drift further ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 31, 2024
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NASA puts next-gen exoplanet-imaging technology to the test
A cutting-edge tool to view planets outside our solar system has passed two key tests ahead of its launch as part of the agency's Roman Space Telescope by 2027.
Astronomy
Jan 31, 2024
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Earth's atmospheric glow can be seen from the International Space Station
This high exposure photograph revealed Earth's atmospheric glow against the backdrop of a starry sky in this image taken from the International Space Station on Jan. 21, 2024. At the time, the orbital lab was 258 miles above ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 30, 2024
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How the 2024 total solar eclipse is different than the 2017 eclipse
On April 8, the moon's shadow will sweep across the United States, as millions will view a total solar eclipse. For many, preparing for this event brings memories of the magnificent total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017.
Planetary Sciences
Jan 30, 2024
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Another explanation for K2-18b? A gas-rich mini-Neptune with no habitable surface
Exoplanet K2-18b is garnering a lot of attention. James Webb Space Telescope spectroscopy shows it has carbon and methane in its atmosphere. Those results, along with other observations, suggest the planet could be a long-hypothesized ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 30, 2024
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Did we find exomoons or not?
Do exoplanets have exomoons? It would be extraordinary if they didn't, but as with all things, we don't know until we know. Astronomers thought they may have found exomoons several years ago around two exoplanets: Kepler-1625b ...
Astronomy
Jan 30, 2024
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Poised for science: NASA's Europa Clipper instruments are all aboard
With less than nine months remaining in the countdown to launch, NASA's Europa Clipper mission has passed a major milestone: Its science instruments have been added to the massive spacecraft, which is being assembled at the ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 30, 2024
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Mars helicopter Ingenuity has ended its mission, paving the way for more flying vehicles on other planets, moons
It is difficult to emphasize the significance of the milestone surpassed by Nasa's Mars helicopter, Ingenuity.
Space Exploration
Jan 30, 2024
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New Wolf in the pack: Astronomers discover an ultra-short-period super-Earth
Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an international team of astronomers has discovered a new ultra-short-period exoplanet. The newfound alien world, designated Wolf 327 b, is slightly larger and about ...
The Jovian vortex hunt is over for now
The Jovian Vortex Hunter project, launched on Zooniverse in June 2022, is out of data as of December 23, 2023.
Planetary Sciences
Jan 29, 2024
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Researchers develop high-precision double slit for space spectrometer
ESA plans to launch its FLEX mission in 2025. The aim is to collect data on the Earth's vegetation from space. For the spectrometer on board the satellite, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and ...
Planetary Sciences
Jan 29, 2024
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Researchers are spying for signs of life among exoplanet atmospheres
The next generation of advanced telescopes could sharpen the hunt for potential extraterrestrial life by closely scrutinizing the atmospheres of nearby exoplanets, new research suggests.
Astrobiology
Jan 29, 2024
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NASA's LRO spots Japan's SLIM moon lander
On Jan. 19, 2024, at 10:20 a.m. EST, the JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) landed on the lunar surface. Five days later, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft ...
Space Exploration
Jan 29, 2024
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Cosmic building blocks of life discovered through the electron microscope
A team of researchers has examined the Winchcombe meteorite and demonstrated the existence in it of nitrogen compounds such as amino acids and heterocyclic hydrocarbons—without applying any chemical treatment and by using ...
Astrobiology
Jan 29, 2024
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NASA helicopter's mission ends after three years on Mars
NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter, which made history by achieving the first powered flight on another world, has officially ended its nearly three-year mission after sustaining rotor damage during its last outing, the space ...
Space Exploration
Jan 28, 2024
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More news
Study predicts best times for Curiosity to sample Mars' methane
Scientists propose an updated time scale scheme of the Earth's moon
We're heading for Venus: ESA approves EnVision
Why Venus died
Early life was radically different than today
After three years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity helicopter mission ends
Asteroid 2024 BX1 spotted three hours before impact
NOAA's GOES-U arrives in Florida for processing ahead of launch
Methane pulses on Mars possibly driven by atmospheric pressure changes
Team discovers evidence of cometary dust hitting the asteroid Ryugu
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Tracing the evolution of sign languages using computer modeling
Team discovers mechanism that protects tissue after faulty gene expression
Alpine ibex becoming more nocturnal as temperatures rise
Fooled: Herbivorous animals 'led by the nose' to leave plants alone
A physical qubit with built-in error correction
NASA regains contact with mini-helicopter on Mars
Scientists propose a biocatalytic reactor for detoxifying water on Mars
Moon rocks with unique dust found
NASA selects a sample return mission to Venus
Image: An aurora in another light
TESS discovers nine new 'hot Jupiters'
How talin protein maintains intercellular connection while transmitting force
Scientists successfully simulate protein complex that initiates fertilization
Physicists develop highly robust time crystal
