solar nebula Archives - Astrobiology

H182O In The Terrestrial Planet-forming Regions

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

H182O In The Terrestrial Planet-forming Regions Of Protoplanetary Disks

by Keith CowingJanuary 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Isotopologues play an important role in solar system cosmochemistry studies, revealing details of early planet formation physics and chemistry.

This is an artist's model of an early Mars — billions of years ago — which may have had oceans and a thicker atmosphere. It was created by filling Mars' lower altitudes with water and adding cloud cover. The locations for the ancient ocean are based on current altitudes and do not reflect the actual ancient topography. -- NASA Visualization Studio

Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, Press Release

A Massive Primordial Atmosphere On Early Mars

by Keith CowingSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025

Mars finished forming while the solar nebula was still present, and acquired its primordial atmosphere from this reservoir.