Wrinkles are everywhere in nature. They shape the surface of leaves, insect wings, and even the tiny finger-like structures that line the human intestine. These patterns are not just decorative. […]
2026
Posted inAnalog Studies, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
NASA Selects Proposals To Advance The Habitable Worlds Observatory Astrobiology Mission Concept
NASA announced Monday the selection of industry proposals to advance technologies for the agency’s Habitable Worlds Observatory concept – the first mission that would directly image Earth-like planets around stars […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Cryobiology, Dale Andersen's Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Microbiology & Virology, People Of Astrobiology, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Astrobiologist Dale Andersen’s Antarctic Field Report: 5 January 2026: Preparing to Leave Cape Town For The Ice
Keith The team and all of our gear and cargo made it to Cape Town, which feels especially welcoming right now—warm, bright, and easy to settle into. Over Table Mountain, […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Astrobiology (general), Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Citizen Science / Open Science, Courses, Education and Outreach, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Space Life Science, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech For Everyone: NASA’s STELLA Open Science Instrument
Editor’s note: NASA has just authored a paper on a new way for people with a wide variety of interests to use – and build – sensor technology that is […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
Mars Curiosity Rover Observes Sulfur Crystals
This image was captured by Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), a camera on the end of its robotic arm, on June 4, 2024, the 4,205th Martian day, or sol, […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, NASA Astrobiology Program, Status Report
NASA SMD ROSES-25 F.6 Science Activation: Corrections of Requirements for Budget Submission
The Science Mission Directorate Science Activation Program encourages all people to actively participate in science through activities and resources developed by a collaborative network of project teams drawing on NASA […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astropharmacy / Biotechnology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Commercial & Private Sector, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, NASA Astrobiology Program, Origin & Evolution of Life, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, Science Fiction, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Searching For Extraterrestrial Life Advances Terrestrial Sustainability
Astrobiology, while traditionally focused on understanding the origin of life on Earth and the potential for life elsewhere, offers powerful tools and insights for addressing urgent challenges on our planet.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Seafloor Weathering and Stochastic Outgassing Unlikely to Significantly Shorten the Future Lifespan of Earth’s Terrestrial Biosphere
Current understanding suggests that as the Sun brightens in the far future, Earth’s carbonate-silicate cycle will offset increasing temperatures by drawing CO2 out of the atmosphere, ultimately leading to the […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Europa’s Ice Thickness And Subsurface Structure Characterized By The Juno Microwave Radiometer
Jupiter’s moon Europa is thought to harbour a saltwater ocean beneath a variously disrupted ice shell, and it is, thus, one of the highest priority astrobiology targets in the Solar […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Sample Return, Status Report
A Glimpse Into Darkness: Diversity Of Culturable Cyanobacteria, Green Algae And Fungi From Subaerial Cave Biofilms
Caves and hypogean environments provide stable microclimates characterized by uniform temperatures, constant humidity, and low light levels.