Earth’s magnetic field cocoons our planet from the onslaught of cosmic radiation streaming through space while also shielding us from charged particles hurled outward by the sun. But the geomagnetic […]
Earth
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Callisto, Enceladus, Europa, Exploration Gear & Tech, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Io, Jupiter, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
Astrobiology Recon Missions: Using Ice-penetrating Radar To Find Liquid Water On Other Worlds
The first clue for finding life on other planets is finding liquid water. The moons of Saturn and Jupiter like Enceladus, Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto are suspected of holding oceans […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Io, Jupiter, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetism, bioelectricity,, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Radio Observations As An Extrasolar Planet Discovery and Characterization: Interior Structure and Habitability
Detection of radio emission from Jupiter was identified quickly as being due to its planetary-scale magnetic field. Subsequent spacecraft investigations have revealed that many of the planets, and even some […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Press Release
Earth’s Global Carbon Cycle Could Help Assess Liveability Of Other Planets
Research has uncovered important new insights into the evolution of oxygen, carbon, and other vital elements over the entire history of Earth – and it could help assess which other […]
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Plant Biology, Press Release
Habitable World Assays: New Satellite Dataset Sheds Light On Earth’s Plant Growth
In the field of environmental and climate science, researchers have developed the Comprehensive Mechanistic Light Response (CMLR) gross primary production (GPP) dataset. Derived from the TROPOMI satellite’s solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence […]
![Schematic depiction of the primary convection regimes observed or theorized on terrestrial planets in the Solar System. The three end-members, in this representation, are Plate Tectonics (PT), Stagnant Lid (SL) and Plutonic-Squishy Lid (PSL). Episodic Lid (EL) is an intermediate regime between PT and SL. While the current regimes of Earth, Mercury and Mars are well defined, Venus’ is still uncertain and could range from EL to PSL, or may have transitioned recently (a few 100s Myr) into SL. Mercury is in a later stage of SL compared to Mars because it has cooled down significantly faster. The state of the convection regimes of the planets should not be considered static. Instead, it evolves with time, and the figure can be interpreted as a snapshot of their presentday state. The axis are not fully independent and should be thought of as possible observables. The convection regime figures are adapted from [102]. -- astro-ph.EP](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Interior-Controls-On-The.png?resize=1200%2C718&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Mars, Status Report, Venus
Interior Controls On The Habitability Of Rocky Planets
No matter how fascinating and exotic other terrestrial planets are revealed to be, nothing generates more excitement than announcements regarding their habitability.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report, Terraforming & Geoengineering, Venus
Venus As An Anchor Point for Planetary Habitability
A major focus of the planetary science and astrobiology community is the understanding of planetary habitability, including the myriad factors that control the evolution and sustainability of temperate surface environments […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Status Report
A Secular Solar System Resonance That Disrupts The Dominant Cycle In Earth’s Orbital Eccentricity (g2-g5): Implications For Astrochronology
The planets’ gravitational interaction causes rhythmic changes in Earth’s orbital parameters (also called Milanković cycles), which have powerful applications in geology and astrochronology.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Sulfur And The Origin Of Life
Many artists have tried to depict what Earth might have looked like billions of years ago, before life made its appearance. Many scenes trade snow-covered mountains for lava-gushing volcanoes and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Impact events, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
Relative Contribution From Comets And Carbonaceous Asteroids To Earth’s Volatile Budget In The Context Of An Early Instability
Recent models of solar system formation suggest that a dynamical instability among the giant planets happened within the first 100 Myr after disk dispersal, perhaps before the Moon-forming impact. As […]