The atmosphere of exoplanets has been studied extensively in recent years, using numerical models to retrieve chemical composition, dynamical circulation or temperature from data. One of the best observational probes […]
2019
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release
O2- and CO-Rich Atmospheres for Potentially Habitable Environments on TRAPPIST-1 Planets
Small exoplanets of nearby M dwarf stars present the possibility to find and characterize habitable worlds within the next decade. TRAPPIST-1, an ultracool M dwarf star, was recently found to […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Press Release
Simulated Direct Imaging Detection of Water Vapor For Exo-Earths
Habitable planets are often defined as terrestrial worlds capable of maintaining surface liquid water. As a result, atmospheric water vapor can be a critical indicator of habitability. Thus, habitability-themed exoplanet […]
Posted inPress Release, SETI & Technosignatures
Searching For A Standard Drake Equation
In the 20th century the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence began, and the Drake equation was proposed to estimate the number of extraterrestrial species humanity could attempt to detect, N. […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Press Release
Signs Of Life: New Field Guide Aids Astronomers' Search
A Cornell University senior has come up with a way to discern life on exoplanets loitering in other cosmic neighborhoods: a spectral field guide. Zifan Lin has developed high-resolution spectral […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Theory Of Chemical Evolution Of Molecule Compositions In The Universe
Chemical evolution is essential in understanding the origins of life. We present a theory for the evolution of molecule masses and show that small molecules grow by random diffusion and […]
Posted inPress Release, Titan
Studying Titan May Offer Insights About Earth
Scientists studying the weather and climate of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, have reported a significant seasonal variation in its energy budget – that is the amount of solar energy absorbed […]
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Press Release
A Meteorite-loving Microorganism
Chemolithotrophic microorganisms derive their energy from inorganic sources. Research into the physiological processes of these organisms – which are grown on meteorite – provides new insights into the potential of […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Evidence of Ammonium Salts In Comet 67P As Explanation For The Nitrogen Depletion In Cometary Comae
Cometary comae are generally depleted in nitrogen. The main carriers for volatile nitrogen in comets are NH3 and HCN. It is known that ammonia readily combines with many acids like […]
Posted inAstropharmacy / Biotechnology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microgravity, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Stations
A 'Hubble Space Telescope' To Study Multiple Genome Sequences
A new tool that simultaneously compares 1.4 million genetic sequences can classify how species are related to each other at far larger scales than previously possible. Described today in Nature […]