Isotope ratios have recently been measured in the atmospheres of directly-imaged and transiting exoplanets from ground-based observations. The arrival of JWST allows us to characterise exoplanetary atmospheres in further detail […]
Atmospheres, Climate, Weather
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Moon, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
The Moon-Forming Impact and the Autotrophic Origin of Life
All ecosystems start with autotrophs, cells that convert CO2 to organics. In autotrophic theories for origins, life started from CO2. The Moon-forming impact supplied pure CO2 as the primordial biogenic […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Status Report
The Vacant Niche Revisited: Using Negative Results to Refine the Limits of Habitability
To define the boundaries of habitability, biologists often search for highly specialized organisms in extreme environments. However, negative life detections – when a method is unable to detect microorganisms in […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Extinction events, Habitable Zones, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
On Earth’s Habitability Over The Sun’s Main-sequence History: Joint Influence Of Space Weather And Earth’s Magnetic Field Evolution
The aim of this study is to analyze the Earth habitability with respect to the direct exposition of the Earth atmosphere to the solar wind along the Sun’s evolution on […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Status Report
The Evaporation Of Planetary Atmospheres
In recent years the focus of exoplanet research has shifted from the mere detection to detailed characterization. Precise measurements of the masses and radii of transiting planets have shown that […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Press Release
Mapping Water Clouds On Jupiter With Ultraviolet Data From Hubble
Released in honor of Jupiter reaching opposition, which occurs when the planet and the Sun are in opposite sides of the sky, this view of the gas giant planet includes […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gravitational Biology, Status Report
Exploring Climate With Obliquity In A Variable-eccentricity Earth-like World
Exploring planetary systems similar to our solar system can provide a means to explore a large range of possibly temperate climates on Earth-like worlds.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Press Release, Titan
Could Malononitrile Form In Titan’s Atmosphere?
NASA-supported scientists have shown that the atmosphere of Titan could be an ideal environment in which to make a specific compound relevant to the origins of life on Earth.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extinction events, Fossils & Paleontology, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
New Microfossils Suggest An Earlier Rise In Complex Life On Earth
Microfossils from Western Australia may capture a jump in the complexity of life that coincided with the rise of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, according to an international team […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Webb Detects Tiny Quartz Crystals in Clouds of Hot Gas Giant WASP-17 b
The atmosphere of the hot gas giant planet WASP-17 b, depicted in this artist’s concept, is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, along with small amounts of water vapor and […]