On 24 September 2023, the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission dropped a capsule to Earth containing approximately 120 g of pristine carbonaceous regolith from Bennu.
University of Arizona
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
The End Of Planet Formation
Scientists believe that planetary systems like our solar system contain more rocky objects than gas-rich ones. Around our sun, these include the inner planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Sulfur And The Origin Of Life
Many artists have tried to depict what Earth might have looked like billions of years ago, before life made its appearance. Many scenes trade snow-covered mountains for lava-gushing volcanoes and […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Conferences and Meetings, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report
University Of Arizona Planetary Photogrammetry Workshop
The Space Imagery Center at the University of Arizona will conduct the next workshop on planetary photogrammetry from April 2 to 5 2024.
Posted inExtremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Mars, Microbiology & Virology, Press Release
Some Bacteria Could Survive Under Mars Conditions
An international team of radiation specialists, biologists and infectious disease experts has found four types of bacteria that are capable of surviving exposure to the hostile Mars environment. In their […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Press Release
Recent Volcanism On Mars Reveals A Planet More Active Than Previously Thought
A vast, flat, “featureless” plain on Mars surprised researchers by revealing a much more tumultuous geologic past than expected, according to a study led by researchers at the University of […]
Posted inArctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Status Report
Vast Water Ice Flows On Mars Viewed From Orbit
On Aug. 18, 2023, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) captured ridged lines carved onto Mars’ landscape by the gradual movement of ice. While surface ice deposits are mostly limited to […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), NASA Astrobiology Program, Press Release
University of Arizona Launches Arizona Astrobiology Center To Unlock The Mysteries Of Life In The Universe
The University of Arizona on Tuesday announced the opening of the Arizona Astrobiology Center, which brings together more than 40 faculty members from four colleges and 13 disciplines to conduct […]
Posted inAway Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Press Release, Tricorders & Sensors
Tricorder Tech: Developing A Bioinspired Optical Sniffer Sensor
Editor’s note: If you are on a long term mission or on an away team on another world, you might want your tricorder to be able to do some quick […]
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Away Teams & Field Reports, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Exploration Gear & Tech, Fossils & Paleontology, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Tricorders & Sensors
Away Team Tech: Hansel and Gretel’s Breadcrumb Trick Inspires Robotic Exploration Of Caves On Mars And Beyond
House hunting on Mars could soon become a thing, and researchers at the University of Arizona are already in the business of scouting real estate that future astronauts could use […]