Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin’s Marine Science Institute have discovered nearly two dozen new types of microbes, many of which use hydrocarbons such as methane and butane […]
2018
Posted inAstronauts and Explorers, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
Space Station Microbes Should Be Monitored To Avoid Threat To Astronaut Health
Strains of the bacterium Enterobacter, similar to newly found opportunistic infectious organisms seen in a few hospital settings, have been identified on the International Space Station (ISS). The strains found […]
Posted inDale Andersen's Field Reports, Status Report
Astrobiologist Dale Andersen Antarctic Status Report 24 November 2018: Better Weather
“Last night was a bit noisy with 40-50 knot winds rattling the tents, but they were not destructive so all is well here at Lake Untersee.” “As we approach the […]
Posted inMars, Press Release
A Maximum Subsurface Biomass on Mars from Untapped Free Energy: CO and H2 as Potential Antibiosignatures
Whether extant life exists in the martian subsurface is an open question. High concentrations of photochemically produced CO and H2 in the otherwise oxidizing martian atmosphere represent untapped sources of […]
Posted inDale Andersen's Field Reports, Status Report
Astrobiologist Dale Andersen Antarctic Status Report 23 November 2018: More Wind
“We had a very blustery night which made for very noisy tents, but the camp is intact so we are in good shape thus far.” “We will see what the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Study Reveals One of Universe's Secret Ingredients for Life
A new study led by The Australian National University (ANU) has investigated the nature of a cosmic phenomenon that slows down star formation, which helps to ensure the universe is […]
Posted inDale Andersen's Field Reports, Status Report
Astrobiologist Dale Andersen Antarctic Status Report 22 November 2018: Drilling Time
“We have a clear but very blustery day here right now, winds are 30 knots, gusting 45 at times and air temps around -5°C.” “We expect stormy weather to move […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
What Magnetic Fields Can Tell Us About Life on Other Planets
Every school kid knows that Earth has a magnetic field — it’s what makes compasses align north-south and lets us navigate the oceans. It also protects the atmosphere, and thus […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Revised Estimates of the Frequency of Earth-like Planets in the Kepler Field
The search for Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars and the evaluation of their occurrence rate is a major topic of research for the exoplanetary community. Two key characteristics in defining […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Two Terrestrial Planet Families With Different Origins
The important role of stellar irradiation in envelope removal for planets with diameters of