Atmospheric ozone plays an important role on the temperature structure of the atmosphere. However, it has not been included in previous studies on the effect of an increasing solar radiation […]
2019
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
First Detection of the pre-biotic Molecule Glycolonitrile (HOCH2CN) in the Interstellar Medium
Theories of a pre-RNA world suggest that glycolonitrile (HOCH2CN) is a key species in the process of ribonucleotide assembly, which is considered as a molecular precursor of nucleic acids. In […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release
The Oxyometer: A Novel Instrument Concept for Characterizing Exoplanet Atmospheres
With TESS and ground-based surveys searching for rocky exoplanets around cooler, nearby stars, the number of Earth-sized exoplanets that are well-suited for atmospheric follow-up studies will increase significantly. For atmospheric […]
Posted inPanspermia, Press Release
Planting Earth Life on Habitable but Sterile M-dwarf Oxygen Planets
Time is arguably the key limiting factor for interstellar exploration. At high speeds, flyby missions to nearby stars by laser propelled wafersats taking 50-100 years would be feasible. Directed energy […]
Posted inPress Release, SETI & Technosignatures
First Comprehensive, Interactive Tool to Track SETI Searches
For the first time ever, scientists have developed a way for the SETI community to keep track of, and update, all SETI searches that have been conducted and the results. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Young Planets Orbiting Red Dwarfs May Lack Ingredients for Life
Rocky planets orbiting red dwarf stars may be bone dry and lifeless, according to a new study using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Water and organic compounds, essential for life as […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Citizen Science / Open Science, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Kepler Finds A New Planet In A Stellar Habitable Zone
Using data from NASA’s Kepler space telescope, citizen scientists have discovered a planet roughly twice the size of Earth located within its star’s habitable zone, the range of orbital distances […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release
Photosynthesis on Habitable Planets Around low-mass Stars
We show that planets around M-dwarfs with M⋆≲0.2M⊙ may not receive enough photons in the photosynthetically active range of 400-750 nm to sustain Earth-like biospheres. As a result of the […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release
Atmospheric Circulation and Climate of Terrestrial Planets Orbiting Sun-like and M-dwarf Stars
The recent detections of temperate terrestrial planets orbiting nearby stars and the promise of characterizing their atmospheres motivates a need to understand how the diversity of possible planetary parameters affects […]
Posted inEuropa, Press Release
A Search For Signatures Of Europa's Atmosphere And Plumes In Galileo Charged Particle Data
Remote sensing observations indicate that Europa is surrounded by a tenuous atmosphere. Furthermore, recent observations and historic data from Galileo hint at the occurrence of water vapour eruptions originating from […]