Solar photospheric abundances of refractory elements mirror the Earth’s to within ~10 mol% when normalized to the dominant terrestrial planet-forming elements Mg, Si and Fe. This allows for the adoption […]
Astrogeology
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Influence of Water Content in Protoplanetary Discs on Planet Migration and Formation
The temperature and density profiles of protoplanetary discs depend crucially on the mass fraction of micrometre-sized dust grains and on their chemical composition. A larger abundance of micrometre-sized grains leads […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Life on Earth Likely Started Much Earlier Than Thought
UCLA geochemists have found evidence that life likely existed on Earth at least 4.1 billion years ago — 300 million years earlier than previous research suggested. The discovery indicates that […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Press Release
Terrestrial Planet Formation Constrained by Mars and the Structure of the Asteroid Belt
Reproducing the large Earth/Mars mass ratio requires a strong mass depletion in solids within the protoplanetary disk between 1 and 3 AU. The Grand Tack model invokes a specific migration […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Plate Tectonic-Climate Coupling, Exposed Land Area, and Habitable Climates on Rocky Planets
The long-term carbon cycle is vital for maintaining liquid water oceans on rocky planets due to the negative climate feedbacks involved in silicate weathering. Plate tectonics plays a crucial role […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Press Release
Is Iron A Biological Element?
Think of an object made of iron: An I-beam, a car frame, a nail. Now imagine that half of the iron in that object owes its existence to bacteria living […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Planetary Sweet Spot: Plate Tectonics Depend on Elemental Abundances
Planet Earth is situated in what astronomers call the Goldilocks Zone — a sweet spot in a solar system where a planet’s surface temperature is neither too hot nor too […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones
Atmospheric Signs of Volcanic Activity Could Aid Search for Life
Planets with volcanic activity are considered better candidates for life than worlds without such heated internal goings-on. Now, graduate students at the University of Washington have found a way to […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
Amino Acids in Chondrites
Many theories about the origins of life involve the delivery of organic molecules to the early Earth by objects from space. Previously, scientists have identified amino acids in carbon-rich meteorites. […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Press Release
Collisions of Small ice Particles Under Microgravity Conditions
Understanding the collisional properties of ice is important for understanding both the early stages of planet formation and the evolution of planetary ring systems. Simple chemicals such as methanol and […]