Scientists based this image on a model of data from NASA’s Galileo mission and data from an instrument on NASA’s Cassini mission that studied warm regions of Saturn’s moon Enceladus […]
icy world
Posted inBiogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Jupiter, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
SwRI-Developed Instruments Will Study Potential Habitability Of Europa
Two Southwest Research Institute instruments were launched aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft on Oct. 14 from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft is designed to conduct a detailed reconnaissance […]
Posted inEuropa, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The Europa Clipper Astrobiology Expedition Is Underway
The Europa Clipper Astrobiology Expedition is underway. The Europa Clipper spacecraft has separated from the Falcon Heavy’s second stage and has begun a 5 1/2 year journey across the inner […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Pluto, Status Report, Titan, Triton
Atmospheres of Solar System Moons and Pluto
The atmospheres within our Solar System can be categorized into four distinct climate regimes: “terrestrial”, “Jovian”, “condensable”, and “exosphere”.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Pluto, Status Report
Detection Of Carbon Dioxide And Hydrogen Peroxide On The Stratified Surface Of Charon With JWST
Charon, Pluto’s largest moon, has been extensively studied, with research focusing on its primitive composition and changes due to radiation and photolysis.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Press Release
Iceworld Update: Hidden Snow Dunes In Antarctica
Sand dunes are a familiar sight along beaches and in deserts. While we know how regular sand dunes are formed, much less is known about dunes made of snow. In […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Ceres, Comets and Asteroids, Cryobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Impact events, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
An Ancient And Impure Frozen Ocean On Ceres Implied By Its Ice-rich Crust
Ceres is a key object in understanding the evolution of small bodies and is the only dwarf planet to have been orbited by a spacecraft, NASA’s Dawn mission.
Posted inIcy Worlds, Neptune, Status Report, Triton, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
The Trans- And Post-Capture Orbital Evolution Of Triton
Triton is a unique moon in our Solar System, being the only large moon to orbit on a retrograde and highly inclined orbit. As a result, it is thought that […]
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Cryobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Europa Clipper: Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-Surface (REASON)
The Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) is a dual-frequency ice-penetrating radar (9 and 60 MHz) onboard the Europa Clipper mission. REASON is designed to probe […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Away Teams & Field Reports, Ceres, Cryobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Exploration Gear & Tech, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Mimas, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Status Report, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Through-Ice Acoustic Communication For Ocean Worlds Exploration
Subsurface exploration of ice-covered planets and moons presents communications challenges because of the need to communicate through kilometers of ice. The objective of this task is to develop the capability […]