Aims. We aim to identify the presence of atomic and molecular species in the upper atmosphere of the warm Neptune-sized transiting planet GJ 436 b, which has a radiative equilibrium […]
atmosphere
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Pluto, Press Release
Trans-Neptunian Object (612533) 2002 XV93 Has An Atmosphere – But Shouldn’t
A team of professional and amateur Japanese astronomers found evidence for a thin atmosphere around a small body in the outer Solar System. The object is so small that it […]
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Smaller Than Earth Habitability Model (STEHM): The Lower Size Limit for Atmosphere Retention in the Habitable Zone
With recent advances in exoplanet observational techniques enabling the discovery of increasingly smaller planets, a crucial question emerges in the search for habitable planets: how small can a planet be […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
The Hydrogen, Methane And Ammonia Biosphere On Early Earth
Current paradigms for the origin and evolutions of life and the environment on early Earth have been based on the premises that carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen gas (N2) were […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Horizontal Transport As A Source Of Disequilibrium Chemistry On The Nightside Of A Hot Exoplanet
Hot Jupiters have temperature gradients of several hundreds of degrees between their permanent daysides and nightsides. Such a strong gradient creates winds with speeds of the order of kilometres per […]
![The multiple roles of methanogens in the modern-day carbon cycle. Processes shown in red contribute to greenhouse gas production. Part of the methane is removed through microbial methane oxidation (A)MO and photochemical reactions, where e is a generic electron donor (e.g., sulfate, nitrate, arsenate, iron, or manganese) that is reduced to eH. Processes depicted in green sequester CO2, storing it long term as carbonates. Dashed arrows show the potential contribution of methanogen metabolism in the precipitation of carbonate minerals, which contributes to the storage of carbon in the lithosphere. The metabolic activity of methanogens may locally alter pH (a part of energy generation) and produce copious amounts of EPS (seen as a veil surrounding the cells in the microphotograph (yellow arrow)). These EPS bind cations (e.g., Ca, Mg) and act as a nucleation site, while elevated pH enhances the carbonate precipitation in microbial mats [228]. This contribution by methanogens may ultimately impact the production of microbialites [154]. Solid arrows show known effects; dashed lines indicate hypothetical effects. -- Geosciences via x-mol.net](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Methanogens-Through-Time.png?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Methanogens Through Time and Space: Impact on Earth’s Planetary Evolution and Biogeochemistry
Methanogens, or methanogenic archaea (MA), are among the most ancient and widely distributed microorganisms, characterized by a unique metabolism that generates methane (CH4) as the terminal product of anaerobic respiration.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Oxygen And Nitrogen Isotopologues On Cold COCONUTS-2b Observed With MIRI/MRS
Linking the composition of gas giant planets to their formation paths has long been a goal in exoplanet science. Especially, cold gas giants with temperatures below ∼500K have been out […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
The Tale Of The 3 Planets: 3D Cloud Feedback Enhances The Spectral Diversity Of Warm Jupiters
JWST has shown a large diversity in warm Jupiter spectra, despite only small variations in the planetary parameters. However, the main driver of this diversity remains unclear. We aim to […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Plant Biology, Status Report
Is Constitutive Red-shift An Advantage For Oxygenic Photosynthesis Under M-dwarf Starlight? Insights From Acaryochloris marina sp. str. Moss Beach
In the next years, several space missions will search for evidence of life on exoplanets, focusing on robust biosignatures associated with oxygenic photosynthesis, including atmospheric oxygen accumulation and the Vegetation […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
Habitable Planet Orbital Recon: GEO-KOMPSAT-2A Views Super Typhoon Sinlak
The image on the left is in TrueColor. The image on the right shows water vapor imagery.