[NASA]. Peeking into the clean room at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, it might be one of the first things you notice about NASA’s Dragonfly: […]
Saturn
![Example weighting functions for selected microwave frequencies (logarithmically spaced between 3 mm - 3 m) corresponding to the model atmospheres for Saturn (top) and Uranus (bottom) from Figure 1. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Microwave-Remote-.png?resize=1200%2C715&ssl=1)
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather
Microwave Remote Sensing Of Giant Planet Atmospheres: Considerations For Saturn And Uranus Orbiter Missions
[astro-ph.EP] Microwave radiometer instruments are uniquely capable of studying volatile element abundances and heat/mass transport within the deep atmospheres of giant planets.
![Schematic diagram (not to scale) of the experimental apparatus used for benzene ice nucleation and growth studies (adapted from Dubois et al. (2021)). Pressure was measured with a capacitance manometer (P1) and an ion gauge (P2). The inset shows a top view of the cooled sample holder with the positions of the three K-type thermocouple gauges (red dots) used for temperature measurements. The ice sample formed on either or both sides of the silicon substrate/tholin sample (grey), which was in the path of the IR beam of the Thermo Fisher iS50. Infrared transmission spectra were collected with a liquid N2-cooled MCT/A detector. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Experimental-Measurements.png?resize=1200%2C717&ssl=1)
Posted inTitan
Experimental Measurements of Benzene Ice Critical Saturation Ratios on Titan Tholins and Impact on the Microphysical Modeling of Titan’s South Polar Benzene Cloud
[astro-ph.EP] The Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) revealed the presence of a benzene (C6H6) ice cloud in Titan’s autumn south polar stratosphere, following the northern spring equinox in August 2009.
Posted inTitan
Dragonfly Titan Astrobiology Droid Clears Key Tests
The mission reached a major milestone on June 29, when the Dragonfly team at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, delivered the nearly 13-foot-long fuselage for […]
Posted inMissions & Hardware
Pioneer 10/11 Telemetry Explanatory Almanac
[astro-ph.IM] This document is intended to accompany our first release of edited Pioneer 10/11 telemetry data. The purpose of this data release is to provide a data set for the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Icy Worlds, Saturn, Status Report, Titan, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Titan’s Organic World
Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, possesses a dense N2–CH4 atmosphere driving complex organic chemistry. The interplay among photochemistry, aerosol formation, organic cloud condensation, and surface deposition makes Titan a natural laboratory […]
Posted inEnceladus, Europa, Ganymede, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Saturn, Status Report, Titan
Ammonia As A Parameter Shaping Habitability On Icy Moons
The search for life now extends beyond the traditional habitable zone to include the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn. These moons feature ice-covered surfaces overlying substantial oceans formed primarily […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Saturn, Titan, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Astrobiology Exploration: Dragonfly Rotorcraft Hardware Integration and Parachute Test
NASA’s Dragonfly rotorcraft is beginning to take shape – literally – with the delivery of the panels that make up the rotorcraft lander’s body. Built from ultra‑lightweight honeycomb panels designed […]
![Artist’s impression of the simulations conducted in this research. Jupiter (lower left) has a strong magnetic field which creates a cavity in its circumplanetary disk. Saturn (upper right) lacks a strong magnetic field so its circumplanetary disk evolves without a cavity. Credit: Yuri I. Fujii/L-INSIGHT [Kyoto University], Illustrator: Shinichiro Kinoshita](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/How-Jupiter-Cultivated.png?resize=1200%2C717&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrogeology, Callisto, Enceladus, Europa, Ganymede, Gas Giants, Icy Worlds, Io, Jupiter, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Press Release, Rhea, Saturn, Titan, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
How Jupiter Cultivated More Large Moons Than Saturn
The two largest planets in our Solar System, Jupiter and Saturn, also have the largest satellite systems, or the most moons. At present, Jupiter’s reported moon count stands at more […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Saturn, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Subsurface Ocean Salinity And Dissipation Rate Inferred From Enceladus Ice Shell Morphology
The habitability of Enceladus’ subsurface ocean and the detectability of potential biosignatures depend on efficient ocean circulation and suitable ocean conditions.