A large number of surface phenomena (e.g., frost and ice deposits, gullies, slope streaks, recurring slope lineae) are observed on Martian slopes.
habitability
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Status Report, Venus
Venus’ Atmospheric Chemistry and Cloud Characteristics Are Compatible with Venusian Life
Venus is Earth’s sister planet, with similar mass and density but an uninhabitably hot surface, an atmosphere with a water activity 50-100 times lower than anywhere on Earths’ surface, and […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Status Report
Stratospheric Dayside-to-nightside Circulation Drives The 3-D Ozone Distribution On Synchronously Rotating Rocky Exoplanets
Determining the habitability and interpreting future atmospheric observations of exoplanets requires understanding the atmospheric dynamics and chemistry from a 3-D perspective.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Status Report
Assessing Exoplanet Habitability through Data-driven Approaches: A Comprehensive Literature Review
The exploration and study of exoplanets remain at the frontier of astronomical research, challenging scientists to continuously innovate and refine methodologies to navigate the vast, complex data these celestial bodies […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Space Weather & Heliophysics, Status Report
Possible Detection of A Flare-associated Coronal Mass Ejection on A M-dwarf
We here report a probable detection of a stellar coronal mass ejection (CME) in active M dwarf KIC 8093473 by performing an analysis on its time resolved X-ray spectra observed […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Extinction events, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Watching A Star Devour A Planet: The Ultimate Fate Of Earth?
By studying countless stars at various stages of their evolution, astronomers have been able to piece together an understanding of the life cycle of stars and how they interact with […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Press Release
New Clues About The Rise Of Earth’s Continents
Continents are part of what makes Earth uniquely habitable for life among the planets of the solar system, yet surprisingly little is understood about what gave rise to these huge […]
Posted inAriel, Icy Worlds, Miranda, Oberon, Press Release, Titania, Umbriel, Uranus, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
A New Study of Uranus’ Large Moons Shows That Four May Hold Water
Re-analysis of data from NASA’s Voyager spacecraft, along with new computer modeling, has led NASA scientists to conclude that four of Uranus’ largest moons likely contain an ocean layer between […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Microbiology & Virology, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Tricorder Tech: Onboard Science Instrument Autonomy for the Detection of Microscopy Biosignatures on the Ocean Worlds Life Surveyor
The quest to find extraterrestrial life is a critical scientific endeavor with civilization-level implications. Icy moons in our solar system are promising targets for exploration because their liquid oceans make […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Narrow Loophole for H2-dominated Atmospheres On Habitable Rocky Planets Around M Dwarfs
Habitable rocky planets around M dwarfs that have H2-dominated atmospheres, if they exist, would permit characterizing habitable exoplanets with detailed spectroscopy using JWST, owing to their extended atmospheres and small […]