Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography Archives

Solutions for the various heating scenarios with 𝑎 = 250 km. The top three rows show zonally-averaged temperature 𝑇, zonal flow speed 𝑈, meridional streamfunction Ψ(𝜙, 𝑧) = ∫ 𝑧 −𝐻tot 𝜌(𝜙, 𝑧′ )𝑉 (𝜙, 𝑧′ ) × (2𝜋(𝑎 + 𝑧 ′ ) cos 𝜙) 𝑑𝑧′ , where 𝜙 denotes latitude, 𝑧 denotes altitude, −𝐻tot is the altitude of the seafloor and 𝑉 and 𝜌 are meridional speed and density. Ψ > 0 indicates clockwise circulation. The last row (panel d1-4) shows the vertically-integrated meridional ocean heat transport F (𝜙) = ∫ −𝐻 −𝐻tot 𝜌(𝜙, 𝑧′ )𝑉 (𝜙, 𝑧′ )𝑇 (𝜙, 𝑧′ ) × (2𝜋(𝑎 + 𝑧 ′ ) cos 𝜙) 𝑑𝑧′ . F > 0 if heat is transport northward. From the left to the right column show solutions with 𝑄0 = 0, 𝑄0 = Hcond 𝑓deep ≈ 𝑄𝑐/3, 𝑄0 = 𝑄𝑐 and 𝑄0 = 5𝑄𝑐, respectively, where 𝑄𝑐 = 0.21 W/m2 . Panel (e2) shows the mid-level vertical velocity field for the core-heating scenario -- astro-ph.EP

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Enceladus, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

The Modulation Effect Of Ice Thickness Variations On Convection In Icy Ocean Worlds

by Keith CowingJuly 19, 2023July 19, 2023

It has been long puzzling whether the ice thickness variations observed on Enceladus can be sustained sorely by a polar-amplified bottom heating. The key to this question is to understand […]

Similar to Figure 6, but here Tint is held constant at a value of 40 K, and cloud-top pressure (large grid cells) and water abundance (smaller embedded grid cells — see zoom-in panel at lower left) are varied as the two parameters of interest. In the absence of impact of clouds, the large grid cells should look identical to Figure 6, mirrored over the upper-left to lower-right diagonal (e.g. see the upper left-hand large grid cells). The presence of low-pressure (high-altitude) clouds alter the degree of degeneracy between spectra, as detailed in the text. -- astro-ph.EP

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Where Are The Water Worlds?: Self-Consistent Models of Water-Rich Exoplanet Atmospheres

by Keith CowingJuly 13, 2023July 13, 2023

It remains to be ascertained whether sub-Neptune exoplanets primarily possess hydrogen-rich atmospheres or whether a population of H2O-rich “water worlds” lurks in their midst.

Artist’s impression, frozen world with sub-surface ocean CREDIT Lujendra Ojha

Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Study Increases The Probability Of Finding Water On Other Worlds By x100

by Keith CowingJuly 11, 2023July 11, 2023

A new analysis shows that there are probably many more Earth-like exoplanets with liquid water than had been thought, significantly increasing the chance of finding life. The work finds that […]

This image, acquired on April 8, 2011, with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments on NASA’s Terra satellite, shows Saharan dust over the Bay of Biscay. A phytoplankton bloom makes the water appear bright green and blue. Sediment is likely contributing to some of the color, especially in coastal areas. Credits: NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview.

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Desert Worlds, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Plant Biology, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

How Desert Dust Nourishes The Growth Of Phytoplankton In Earth’s Oceans

by Keith CowingJuly 10, 2023August 23, 2025

For the past few decades, scientists have been observing natural ocean fertilization events — episodes when plumes of volcanic ash, glacial flour, wildfire soot, and desert dust blow out onto […]

The probability P(L|TI) for TIs corresponding to LBHs as a function of the emergence rate of TIs in LBHs (units of Gyr−1 ). The vertical line is an estimate of the median value of this rate, based on the data from Earth -- astro-ph.EP

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Intelligence & Language, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

A Bayesian Analysis of Technological Intelligence In Land And Oceans

by Keith CowingJuly 10, 2023July 10, 2023

Current research indicates that (sub)surface ocean worlds essentially devoid of subaerial landmasses (e.g., continents) are common in the Milky Way, and that these worlds could host habitable conditions, thence raising […]

Artistic reconstruction of Megasiphon thylakos, a benthic organism that lived directly on the seafloor. M. thylakos was also sessile (non-moving) and spent its time filter feeding using its prominent siphons. Also reconstructed in the vicinity are other species commonly found in the Marjum Formation, the site from which M. thyalkos was discovered. Nearby brachiopods (bottom center) and the spiny sponge Choia (center middle) are common in many Cambrian environments. In the background is the hemichordate Oesia, which lived in perforated tubes. CREDIT Original artwork by Franz Anthony

Fossils & Paleontology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Discovery Of A 500-million-year-old Fossil Reveals The Astonishing Secrets Of Tunicate Origins

by Keith CowingJuly 6, 2023July 6, 2023

Karma Nanglu says his favorite animal is whichever one he’s working on. But his latest subject may hold first place status for a while: a 500-million-year-old fossil from the wonderfully […]

Model transmission spectrum of our canonical Hycean world K2-18 b. The model spectrum with all the molecules included is shown in grey. The spectra with the individual contributions of the different molecular species are shown as denoted in the legend. The synthetic JWST observations corresponding to the full model are shown as the gold-centered black points with error bars binned to a resolution of R= 40. The observations include one transit with NIRISS SOSS, three transits with NIRSpec G395H and two transits with MIRI LRS, as discussed in section 4. -- astro-ph.EP

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Chemical Conditions On Hycean Worlds

by Keith CowingJune 26, 2023June 26, 2023

Traditionally, the search for life on exoplanets has been predominantly focused on rocky exoplanets. Hycean worlds are a class of habitable sub-Neptunes with planet-wide oceans and H2-rich atmospheres. Their broad […]

Artist impression showing the exoplanet LP 890-9c’s potential evolution from a hot Earth to a desiccated Venus. Carl Sagan Institute/R. Payne

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, TRAPPIST-1, Venus, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Exoplanet LP 890-9c May Reveal Secrets About The Edge Of Habitability

by Keith CowingJune 21, 2023June 21, 2023

How close can a rocky planet be to a star, and still sustain water and life? A recently discovered exoplanet may be key to solving that mystery.

InVADER Mission's Laser Divebot mounted on the ROV Hercules | Credit: Ocean Exploration Trust, NOAA

Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Away Team Tech: Impossible Sensing Brings High-Tech Laser Lab To The Ocean Floor

by Keith CowingJune 21, 2023June 21, 2023

On Friday, May 19, 2023, Impossible Sensing, along with a team of scientists and engineers from SETI Institute, NASA JPL, University of Washington’s Applied Physics Laboratory and other institutions onboard […]

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Enceladus, Icy Worlds, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Phosphate, A Key Building Block Of Life, Found On Saturn’s Moon Enceladus

by Keith CowingJune 18, 2023June 16, 2023

An international team including a University of Washington scientist has found that the water on one of Saturn’s moons harbors phosphates, a key building block of life. The team led […]

Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

The Modulation Effect Of Ice Thickness Variations On Convection In Icy Ocean Worlds

Where Are The Water Worlds?: Self-Consistent Models of Water-Rich Exoplanet Atmospheres

Study Increases The Probability Of Finding Water On Other Worlds By x100

How Desert Dust Nourishes The Growth Of Phytoplankton In Earth’s Oceans

A Bayesian Analysis of Technological Intelligence In Land And Oceans

Discovery Of A 500-million-year-old Fossil Reveals The Astonishing Secrets Of Tunicate Origins

Chemical Conditions On Hycean Worlds

Exoplanet LP 890-9c May Reveal Secrets About The Edge Of Habitability

Away Team Tech: Impossible Sensing Brings High-Tech Laser Lab To The Ocean Floor

Phosphate, A Key Building Block Of Life, Found On Saturn’s Moon Enceladus

Early-career Graduate Students Host An Exclusive, NASA-funded Astrobiology Conference

Intimate Link Between Prebiotic Chemistry And Meteorites: Mechanisms Of Organic Molecule Formation

Microbial Mats Influence The Isotopic Composition And Provenance of Soil Organic Matter In The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Beyond The Prebiotic Soup: Solid Organic Films And Protocell-Like Formation in Prebiotic Discharge Experiments

From Searching For Extraterrestrial Biosignatures To Exploring The Origins Of Life: A Prebiotic Chemistry Perspective