Stellar flares present challenges to the potential habitability of terrestrial planets orbiting M dwarf stars through inducing changes in the atmospheric composition and irradiating the planet’s surface in large amounts […]
habitability
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Extinction events, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Radiation
X-Ray Luminous Supernovae: Threats To Terrestrial Biospheres
The spectacular outbursts of energy associated with supernovae (SNe) have long motivated research into their potentially hazardous effects on Earth and analogous environments.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
The Key Factors Controlling the Seasonality of Planetary Climate
Several different factors influence the seasonal cycle of a planet. This study uses a general circulation model and an energy balance model (EBM) to assess the parameters that govern the […]
Posted inGaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Staying Habitable: How An Intelligent Species Should Treat Their Planetary Ocean
Humanity’s relationship with the Ocean needs to be transformed to effectively address the multitude of governance crises facing the Ocean, including overfishing, climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, Press Release
InSight Pressure Data Recalibration, and Its Application to the Study of Long-Term Pressure Changes on Mars
Observations of the South Polar Residual Cap suggest a possible erosion of the cap, leading to an increase of the global mass of the atmosphere.
Posted inHabitable Zones, Mars, Press Release
Early Mars’ Habitability And Global Cooling By H2-based Methanogens
During the Noachian, Mars’ crust may have provided a favorable environment for microbial life.
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
CO2 Ocean Bistability On Terrestrial Exoplanets
Cycling of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and interior of rocky planets can stabilize global climate and enable planetary surface temperatures above freezing over geologic time.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release, Proxima Centauri
Lightning-induced Chemistry On tidally-locked Earth-like Exoplanets
Determining the habitability and interpreting atmospheric spectra of exoplanets requires understanding their atmospheric physics and chemistry.
Posted inHabitable Zones, Mars, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
A Primordial Atmospheric Origin Of Hydrospheric Deuterium Enrichment On Mars
The deuterium-to-hydrogen (D/H or 2H/1H) ratio of Martian atmospheric water (~6x standard mean ocean water, SMOW) is higher than that of known sources, requiring planetary enrichment.
Posted inHabitable Zones, Mars, Press Release
New Clues About Mars’ Early Atmosphere Suggest a Wet Planet Capable of Supporting Life
New research published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters suggests that Mars was born wet, with a dense atmosphere allowing warm-to-hot oceans for millions of years.