In 2017 a JPL robotics researcher tested new technologies in ice caves near an active volcano in Antarctica. Mt. Erebus is at the end of our world — and offers […]
NASA’s Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor, EELS for short, is a futuristic-looking, modular ‘snake,’ designed to explore deep space.
University of Wyoming Department of Geology and Geophysics Professor Ken Sims made his mark as a National Geographic Explorer conducting research in some of the world’s most extreme locations, from […]
NASA astronaut candidate Jessica Wittner carries out investigations with the spectrometer associated with the ESA Electronic FieldBook, so that JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi can receive indications from the science back-room […]
Is there life in Martian caves? It’s a good question, but it’s not the right question—yet. An international collaboration of scientists led by NAU researcher Jut Wynne has dozens of […]
There is never a dull day for participants of the CAVES campaign, ESA’s field training adventure that hones the communication, problem solving and teamwork skills an international crew will need […]
The dry, wind-swept summits of volcanoes in the Puna de Atacama of Chile and Argentina are the closest thing on Earth to the surface of Mars due to their thin […]
Three astronauts from three space agencies are at work looking for interesting rocks at the rim of a volcanic crater in Lanzarote, Spain. NASA astronaut candidate Jessica Wittner, Takuya Onishi […]
When we start to roam around other worlds we’re going to need the sort of things that a Star Trek “Tricorder” does. Indeed, we need these tools now as we […]
![Compositional evolution of lava planets interiors from an initial homogeneous molten state. Chemical fractionation occurs during planetary solidification because rock-forming elements do not have the same affinities for liquid and solid phases. For instance, FeO prefers to remain in the liquid rather than being incorporated in the solids. (a and b) Initial conditions. The magma ocean is well mixed and nearly entirely molten. The composition of the magma ocean corresponds to the bulk planet’s composition, i.e., 6% of FeO (BSE composition). This is the global magma ocean stage. (c and d) Onset of the mushy stage. The MO crystal fraction is about 50%. Iron-rich solids accumulate in the deep mantle. The most liquid part of the planet shows a FeO content of 10%. (e-f) End of the mushy stage. The FeO concentration of the MO reaches its maximum, 12%. (g-h) Solid-state stage. The iron-rich shallow magma ocean has been buried in the deep mantle. The day-side shallow magma ocean has a concentration of about about 2%. The solid mantle is strongly layered. Iron-rich solids remelts to form a basal magma ocean. -- astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Lava-planets.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
Lava planets are rocky exoplanets that orbit so close to their host star that their day-side is hot enough to melt silicate rock. Their short orbital periods ensure that lava […]
