A key challenge in modeling (exo)planetary atmospheres lies in generating extensive opacity datasets that cover the wide variety of possible atmospheric composition, pressure, and temperature conditions.
Venus
Posted inEuropa, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Venus
Astrobiology Droid Update: Juice Team Resolves Anomaly On Approach To Venus
The European Space Agency’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) is on track for its gravity-assist flyby at Venus on 31 August, following the successful resolution of a spacecraft communication anomaly […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Planets Without Water Could Still Produce Certain Liquids
Water is essential for life on Earth. So, the liquid must be a requirement for life on other worlds. For decades, scientists’ definition of habitability on other planets has rested […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Habitable Zones, Impact events, Status Report, Venus
The Possibility Of A Giant Impact On Venus
Giant impacts were common in the early evolution of the Solar System, and it is possible that Venus also experienced an impact. A giant impact on Venus could have affected […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Impact events, Status Report
Terrestrial Planet Formation From Two Source Reservoirs
This work describes new dynamical simulations of terrestrial planet formation. The simulations started at the protoplanetary disk stage, when planetesimals formed and accreted into protoplanets, and continued past the late […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Venus
The Venus Explorer for Reduced Vapours in the Environment (VERVE)
The answer to whether tiny bacterial lifeforms really do exist in the clouds of Venus could be revealed once-and-for-all by a UK-backed mission.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Extinction events, Impact events, Mars, Mercury, Moon, Status Report, Venus
Dynamical Origin Of Theia, The Last Giant Impactor On Earth
Cosmochemical studies have proposed that Earth accreted roughly 5-10% of its mass from carbonaceous (CC) material, with a large fraction delivered late via its final impactor, Theia (the Moon-forming impactor). […]
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Press Release, Venus
Meteorological Satellites Observe Temperatures On Venus
Imaging data from Japan’s Himawari-8 and -9 meteorological satellites have been successfully used to monitor temporal changes in Venus’ cloud-top temperature, revealing unseen patterns in the temperature structure of various […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Impact events, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Mars, Mercury, Press Release, Venus
Notable Progress In Understanding The Evolution Of The Terrestrial Planets
An SwRI-led team compared the early impact history of Venus and Earth, determining that Venus experienced higher-energy impacts that created a superheated core. Models show these conditions could create Venus’ […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report, Titan, Venus
Measurement of Photochemical Haze Refractive Indices and Hygroscopicity: Influence of CO2 in CH4/H2S/N2 Mixtures
Atmospheric organic hazes are widespread across various planetary bodies and have significant effects on both the surface and atmosphere. In this study, we investigate the optical and hygroscopic properties of […]