Giant gas planets can be agents of chaos, ensuring nothing lives on their Earth-like neighbors around other stars. New studies show, in some planetary systems, the giants tend to kick […]
University of California – Riverside
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Venus
Hunting For Venus 2.0
With the first paper compiling all known information about planets like Venus beyond our solar system, scientists are the closest they’ve ever been to finding an analog of Earth’s “twin.”
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Extinction events, Press Release
Earth Might Be Experiencing A Seventh Mass Extinction, Not The Sixth
Earth is currently in the midst of a mass extinction, losing thousands of species each year. New research suggests environmental changes caused the first such event in history, which occurred […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, TRAPPIST-1
A Discovery That Could Dramatically Narrow The Search For Extraterrestrial Life
An Earth-like planet orbiting an M dwarf — the most common type of star in the universe — appears to have no atmosphere at all. This discovery could cause a […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Broccoli Gas (methyl bromide): A Better Way To Find Life In Space
Broccoli, along with many other plants and microorganisms, emit gases to help them expel toxins. Scientists believe these gases could provide compelling evidence of life on other planets.
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Could More Of Earth’s Surface Host Life?
Of all known planets, Earth is as friendly to life as any planet could possibly be — or is it? If Jupiter’s orbit changes, a new study shows Earth could […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Sleeping Giant Could End Deep Ocean Life
Red medusa found just off the bottom of the deep sea in Alaska. CREDIT Hidden Ocean 2005/NOAA A previously overlooked factor — the position of continents — helps fill Earth’s […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather
Deadliest Period In Earth's History Was Also The Stinkiest
Tiny microbes belching toxic gas helped cause — and prolong — the biggest mass extinction in Earth’s history, a new study suggests. Generally, scientists believe Siberian volcanos spitting greenhouse gases […]
Posted inImpact events, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Toxic Ocean Conditions During Major Extinction 93.9 Million Years Ago
Oxygen in the atmosphere and ocean rose dramatically about 600 million years ago, coinciding with the first proliferation of animal life. Since then, numerous short lived biotic events — typically […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Evidence for Iron-Rich Ancient Ocean Changes View of Earth’s Early History
Over the last half-billion years, the ocean mostly has been full of oxygen and teeming with animal life. But earlier, before animals evolved, oxygen was harder to come by. Now […]