The Latest Permian Mass Extinction (LPME) was the largest extinction in Earth’s history to date, killing between 80-90% of life on the planet, though finding definitive evidence for what caused […]
Astrogeology
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release
Meteorites Reveal The Likely Origin Of Earth’s Volatile Chemicals
By analysing meteorites, Imperial researchers have uncovered the likely far-flung origin of Earth’s volatile chemicals, some of which form the building blocks of life.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release
Two Studies Of Volatile Elements Discovered In Meteorites Constrain The Assembly Of Earth
In two separate studies, researchers identify nucleosynthetic isotope anomalies in the volatile elements potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) in meteorites, which constrain the origins of the material that formed Earth.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Earth’s Geological Thermostat: How Temperature-dependent Silicate Weathering Helps Steer The Planet’s Climate
The process of minerals in rocks being chemically broken down, or weathered – which plays a crucial role in controlling Earth’s climate – removes less carbon dioxide (CO2) if temperatures […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Status Report
Early Stages Of Galilean Moon Formation In A Water-depleted Environment
A key feature of the Galilean satellite system is its monotonic decrease in bulk density with distance from Jupiter, indicating an ice mass fraction
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Komatiites as Complex Adsorption Surfaces for Amino Acids in Prebiotic Environments, a Prebiotic Chemistry Essay
Komatiites represent the oldest known terrestrial rocks, and their composition has been cataloged as the closest to that of the first terrestrial crust after the cooling of the magma ocean.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release
New Mars Sample Receiving Project Office Opening At NASA Johnson
NASA announced Thursday its new Mars Sample Receiving Project office, responsible for receiving and curating the first samples returned from the Red Planet, will be located at the agency’s Johnson […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Clays And The Origin Of Life: The Experiments
There are three groups of scientists dominating the search for the origin of life: the organic chemists (the Soup), the molecular biologists (RNA world), and the inorganic chemists (metabolism and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Status Report
UV-driven Chemistry As A Signpost For Late-Stage Planet Formation
The chemical reservoir within protoplanetary disks has a direct impact on planetary compositions and the potential for life.
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Icy Worlds, Press Release
AAS Awards Laboratory Astrophysics Prize to NASA Goddard Extraterrestrial Ice Scientist
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has awarded the 2023 Laboratory Astrophysics Prize to Dr. Reggie Hudson of the Cosmic Ice Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.