Detection of extraterrestrial life would be an incredible discovery, revolutionizing humanity’s perception of life and providing us insight into how life begins and persists in various environments.
icy world
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Europa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Enabling Ice Core Science On Mars And Ocean Worlds
Ice deposits on Earth provide an extended record of volcanism, planetary climate, and life.
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Europa, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Surviving in Ocean Worlds: Experimental Characterization of Fiber Optic Tethers across Europa-like Ice Faults
As an initial step towards in-situ exploration of the interiors of Ocean Worlds to search for life using cryobot architectures, we test how various communication tethers behave under potential Europa-like […]
Posted inEuropa, Icy Worlds, Missions & Hardware, Press Release
NASA Study Suggests Shallow Lakes in Europa’s Icy Crust Could Erupt
New research makes hypotheses that NASA’s Europa Clipper can test: Any plumes or volcanic activity at the Jovian moon’s surface are caused by shallow lakes in its icy crust.
Posted inEuropa, Ganymede, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Sharpest Earth-based Images Of Europa and Ganymede Reveal Their Icy Landscapes
The cocktail of chemicals that make up the frozen surfaces on two of Jupiter’s largest moons are revealed in the most detailed images ever taken of them by a telescope […]
Posted inIcy Worlds, Mimas, Press Release
Evidence For An Internal Ocean On Mimas
A Southwest Research Institute scientist set out to prove that the tiny, innermost moon of Saturn was a frozen inert satellite and instead discovered compelling evidence that Mimas has a […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Pluto, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Could There Be Life In Pluto's Ocean?
Pluto is thought to possess a subsurface ocean, which is not so much a sign of water as it is a tremendous clue that other dwarf planets in deep space […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Europa, Icy Worlds, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Europa’s Ocean May Have An Earthlike Chemical Balance
A new NASA study modeling conditions in the ocean of Jupiter’s moon Europa suggests that the necessary balance of chemical energy for life could exist there, even if the moon […]
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Europa
Radar Techniques Used in Antarctica Will Scour Europa for Life-Supporting Environments
When a NASA spacecraft sets off to explore Jupiter’s icy moon Europa to look for the ingredients of life, radar equipment designed to pierce the ice of Antarctica will be […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Desert Worlds, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Sample Return, Status Report
The Antarctic Dry Valley Lakes: Relevance To Mars
The similarity of the early environments of Mars and Earth, and the biological evolution which occurred on early Earth, motivates exobiologists to seriously consider the possibility of an early Martian […]