In southern Germany just north of the Danube, there lies a large circular depression between the hilly surroundings: the Nördlinger Ries. Almost 15 million years ago, an asteroid struck this […]
astrogeology
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Mars, Meteorites & Asteroids, Moon, Status Report
Methodologies for 176Lu-176Hf Analysis of Zircon Grains from the Moon and Beyond
Zircons are found in extraterrestrial rocks from the Moon, Mars, and some differentiated meteorite parent-bodies. These zircons are rare, often of small size, and have been affected by neutron capture […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
Cliff Collapse On Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko – I. Aswan
The Aswan cliff on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko collapsed on 2015 July 10. Thereby, relatively pristine comet material from a depth of ~12 m was exposed at the surface. Observations of the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Comets and Asteroids, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
JWST Near-infrared Spectroscopy Of The Lucy Jupiter Trojan Flyby Targets: Evidence For OH Absorption, Aliphatic Organics, And CO2
We present JWST/NIRSpec observations of the five Jupiter Trojans that will be visited by the Lucy spacecraft — the Patroclus–Menoetius binary, Eurybates, Orus, Leucus, and Polymele.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Status Report
Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) Call For Applications For 2024 Membership
The Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) is seeking applications for open positions starting in 2024! Deadline for applications is December 8, 2023.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Meteorites & Asteroids, Microbiology & Virology, Panspermia, Radiation, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Protective Effects of Halite to Vacuum and Vacuum-Ultraviolet Radiation: A Potential Scenario During a Young Sun Superflare
Halite (NaCl mineral) has exhibited the potential to preserve microorganisms for millions of years on Earth. This mineral was also identified on Mars and in meteorites.
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
Perseverance Rover’s Autonomous Systems Enhance Astrobiology And Astrogeology On Mars
In about a third of the time it would have taken other NASA Mars rovers, Perseverance recently navigated its way through a field of boulders more than 1,700 feet wide […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
Exploring The Origin Of Nucleosynthetic Isotope Variations In Ryugu Samples
The Hayabusa2 space mission by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) returned home with samples of the asteroid Ryugu that orbits the Sun between Earth and Mars.
Posted inAstrogeology, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Press Release, Titan
Studies Of Geologic Faulting On Icy Moons Aid Exploration Of Extraterrestrial Watery Worlds
On the surface of many of the icy moons in our solar system, scientists have documented strike-slip faults, those that occur when fault walls move past one another sideways, as […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Scorching, Seven-Planet System Revealed by New Kepler Exoplanet List
A system of seven sweltering planets has been revealed by continued study of data from NASA’s retired Kepler space telescope: Each one is bathed in more radiant heat from their […]