#planetary-science

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#moon-formation

Ancient Moon Melt Event May Explain 150-Million-Year Gap in Age Estimates

The moon's formation history is revised, linking older rock samples to significant heating events rather than its original formation.

You don't look a day over 4.35 billion! Here's the moon's anti-aging secret

The study proposes the Moon formed around 4.35 billion years ago, influenced by tidal heating from early interactions with Earth.

Ancient Moon Melt Event May Explain 150-Million-Year Gap in Age Estimates

The moon's formation history is revised, linking older rock samples to significant heating events rather than its original formation.

You don't look a day over 4.35 billion! Here's the moon's anti-aging secret

The study proposes the Moon formed around 4.35 billion years ago, influenced by tidal heating from early interactions with Earth.
moremoon-formation

How Did Microbes Contaminate a Pristine Asteroid Sample?

The discovery initially thought to be alien life turned out to be earthly contaminants from rigorous sample handling procedures.

Io's tidal response precludes a shallow magma ocean

Io's tidal deformation drives volcanic activity through energy release from its eccentric orbit around Jupiter.
#venus

Hopes of finding life on Venus are DASHED as scientists find no water

The new study suggests Venus has never had liquid water, making the existence of Earth-like life impossible.

Atmospheric analysis shows Venus never had Earth-like life, scientists say

Venus's dry interior suggests it has never had oceans, ruling out Earth-like life forms despite theoretical possibilities for habitability.

Why Venus May Be Our Best Bet For Finding Life In the Solar System

The skies of Venus may hold potential for alien life searches.

A Simple Chemical Reaction May Have Wiped Out Venus's Once Watery Clouds

Understanding the chemical processes that stripped water from Venus's atmosphere is crucial in unraveling the planet's transformation into a hostile environment.

Venus and Earth used to look like 'twin' planets. What happened?

Venus is Earth's closest sibling planet, not Mars, in terms of size, composition, and distance.

Hopes of finding life on Venus are DASHED as scientists find no water

The new study suggests Venus has never had liquid water, making the existence of Earth-like life impossible.

Atmospheric analysis shows Venus never had Earth-like life, scientists say

Venus's dry interior suggests it has never had oceans, ruling out Earth-like life forms despite theoretical possibilities for habitability.

Why Venus May Be Our Best Bet For Finding Life In the Solar System

The skies of Venus may hold potential for alien life searches.

A Simple Chemical Reaction May Have Wiped Out Venus's Once Watery Clouds

Understanding the chemical processes that stripped water from Venus's atmosphere is crucial in unraveling the planet's transformation into a hostile environment.

Venus and Earth used to look like 'twin' planets. What happened?

Venus is Earth's closest sibling planet, not Mars, in terms of size, composition, and distance.
morevenus
#uranus

Uranus, the ice giant, may have been misunderstood for nearly 40 years

Uranus's unique magnetosphere may be a result of conditions during the 1986 Voyager 2 flyby, potentially skewing our understanding of the planet.

Uranus isn't as weird as we thought, study finds

The oddities of Uranus may largely stem from a powerful solar storm experienced during Voyager 2's visit, calling for further exploratory missions.

Uranus, the ice giant, may have been misunderstood for nearly 40 years

Uranus's unique magnetosphere may be a result of conditions during the 1986 Voyager 2 flyby, potentially skewing our understanding of the planet.

Uranus isn't as weird as we thought, study finds

The oddities of Uranus may largely stem from a powerful solar storm experienced during Voyager 2's visit, calling for further exploratory missions.
moreuranus
#astronomy

Scientists Intrigued by Signs of Hidden Ring of Objects at Edge of Solar System

A cluster of objects beyond the Kuiper Belt may reshape our understanding of the Solar System's formation and the potential for life.

Is "round" the only allowable shape for planets?

The natural shape of large celestial objects is round, governed by the physics of hydrostatic equilibrium beyond a certain size.

Astronomers Spot a Super-Mars' Exoplanet around Barnard's Star

A confirmed planet has been found around Barnard's star, potentially accompanied by three others, using advanced detection methods.

Mars Appears to Be Missing a Moon, Astronomer Finds

Mars' triaxial shape may indicate a long-lost moon, potentially shaping its geography and geological features.

Scientists Intrigued by Signs of Hidden Ring of Objects at Edge of Solar System

A cluster of objects beyond the Kuiper Belt may reshape our understanding of the Solar System's formation and the potential for life.

Is "round" the only allowable shape for planets?

The natural shape of large celestial objects is round, governed by the physics of hydrostatic equilibrium beyond a certain size.

Astronomers Spot a Super-Mars' Exoplanet around Barnard's Star

A confirmed planet has been found around Barnard's star, potentially accompanied by three others, using advanced detection methods.

Mars Appears to Be Missing a Moon, Astronomer Finds

Mars' triaxial shape may indicate a long-lost moon, potentially shaping its geography and geological features.
moreastronomy
#asteroid

We Usually Think of Evolution as Happening on Earth. But Space Rocks Have Shaped Life More Than You Can Imagine.

Earth may have had a ring of debris around it 465 million years ago, impacting ecological development.

Asteroid Ceres is a former ocean world that slowly formed into a giant, murky icy orb

Ceres, long thought to be dry, may be up to 90% ice and could have been an icy ocean world.

We Usually Think of Evolution as Happening on Earth. But Space Rocks Have Shaped Life More Than You Can Imagine.

Earth may have had a ring of debris around it 465 million years ago, impacting ecological development.

Asteroid Ceres is a former ocean world that slowly formed into a giant, murky icy orb

Ceres, long thought to be dry, may be up to 90% ice and could have been an icy ocean world.
moreasteroid
#jupiter

Jupiter's Great Red Spot Is Moving In a 'Very Unexpected' Way, Bewildering Astronomers

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope observed unexpected, unstable jiggling behavior in Jupiter's Great Red Spot, revealing new dynamics in the iconic storm.

Jupiter's moon Ganymede was struck by asteroid bigger than dinosaur-killing rock

Ganymede's rotation was altered due to an ancient asteroid impact, leading to significant geological and potentially oceanographic changes on the moon.

Let's Go See What's Swimming Around On Europa | Defector

The Europa Clipper mission aims to explore Europa's subterranean ocean for signs of habitability while showcasing impressive technological advancements.

Jupiter's Great Red Spot Moves Like the Solar System's Biggest Kickball

The Great Red Spot on Jupiter is dynamic, changing shape significantly, challenging the perception of its stability over time.

Jupiter's great red spot wobbles like Jell-o

Jupiter's Great Red Spot behaves like gelatin, oscillating in size and shape unexpectedly, challenging previous understandings of its stability.

Jupiter's Great Red Spot Is Moving In a 'Very Unexpected' Way, Bewildering Astronomers

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope observed unexpected, unstable jiggling behavior in Jupiter's Great Red Spot, revealing new dynamics in the iconic storm.

Jupiter's moon Ganymede was struck by asteroid bigger than dinosaur-killing rock

Ganymede's rotation was altered due to an ancient asteroid impact, leading to significant geological and potentially oceanographic changes on the moon.

Let's Go See What's Swimming Around On Europa | Defector

The Europa Clipper mission aims to explore Europa's subterranean ocean for signs of habitability while showcasing impressive technological advancements.

Jupiter's Great Red Spot Moves Like the Solar System's Biggest Kickball

The Great Red Spot on Jupiter is dynamic, changing shape significantly, challenging the perception of its stability over time.

Jupiter's great red spot wobbles like Jell-o

Jupiter's Great Red Spot behaves like gelatin, oscillating in size and shape unexpectedly, challenging previous understandings of its stability.
morejupiter
#astrobiology

Jupiter's moon Europa is NASA's next search for potential life

The Europa Clipper mission aims to explore the potential for life on Europa by surveying its icy shell and underlying ocean.

A dwarf planet has dirty depths, model suggests

Ceres has a layered frozen ocean consisting of mainly pure water ice at the surface, which includes increasing impurities at greater depths.

A Biosignature Based on Modeling Panspermia and Terraformation: Summary and Discussion | HackerNoon

Panspermia enhances the detection of life by identifying clusters of potentially terraformed planets using statistical correlations.

A Biosignature Based on Modeling Panspermia and Terraformation: References | HackerNoon

Modeling panspermia can reveal correlations between planetary compositions and their positions.
Clustering methods can identify likely terraformed planets.

Jupiter's moon Europa is NASA's next search for potential life

The Europa Clipper mission aims to explore the potential for life on Europa by surveying its icy shell and underlying ocean.

A dwarf planet has dirty depths, model suggests

Ceres has a layered frozen ocean consisting of mainly pure water ice at the surface, which includes increasing impurities at greater depths.

A Biosignature Based on Modeling Panspermia and Terraformation: Summary and Discussion | HackerNoon

Panspermia enhances the detection of life by identifying clusters of potentially terraformed planets using statistical correlations.

A Biosignature Based on Modeling Panspermia and Terraformation: References | HackerNoon

Modeling panspermia can reveal correlations between planetary compositions and their positions.
Clustering methods can identify likely terraformed planets.
moreastrobiology
#climate-change

Mars' Surface Appears to Be Covered in Potential Rocket Fuel, MIT Finds

Scientists propose that Mars' ancient atmosphere may be trapped in sedimentary rocks, which can be used to create rocket fuel for future Mars missions.

Scientists Find Evidence Earth Used to Have a Ring Like Saturn

Earth possibly had a temporary ring system formed from an asteroid, affecting meteor impacts and climate during the Hirnantian Icehouse.

Mars' Surface Appears to Be Covered in Potential Rocket Fuel, MIT Finds

Scientists propose that Mars' ancient atmosphere may be trapped in sedimentary rocks, which can be used to create rocket fuel for future Mars missions.

Scientists Find Evidence Earth Used to Have a Ring Like Saturn

Earth possibly had a temporary ring system formed from an asteroid, affecting meteor impacts and climate during the Hirnantian Icehouse.
moreclimate-change

Scientists Find Evidence of Water All Over the Moon

Evidence suggests water exists all over the Moon, including near the equator, expanding opportunities for future lunar exploration.
#nasa

A $5 Billion NASA Mission Looked Doomed. Could Engineers Save It?

The success of the Europa Clipper mission is critical for understanding potential life on Europa, and there are significant pressures and stakes involved.

Asteroid chunks from NASA deflection test may hit Earth in 10 years

NASA's asteroid deflection mission has successfully shown that debris could reach Earth but poses no threat, as it will burn up in the atmosphere.

Ultra Valuable Asteroid Appears to be Rusting, James Webb Images Reveal

The asteroid 16 Psyche may have rust, impacting theories about its origin and makeup.

The Mars Sample Return Mission Is at a Dangerous Crossroads

NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission could face challenges in terms of funding and delays, potentially hindering further exploration of the solar system.
The estimated cost for the completion of the MSR mission is between $8 billion and $11 billion, similar to the cost of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The Mars Sample Return Mission Is at a Dangerous Crossroads

NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission could face challenges in terms of funding and delays, potentially hindering further exploration of the solar system.
The estimated cost for the completion of the MSR mission is between $8 billion and $11 billion, similar to the cost of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Astronomer Lunine appointed chief scientist of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab | Cornell Chronicle

Jonathan I. Lunine appointed chief scientist of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

A $5 Billion NASA Mission Looked Doomed. Could Engineers Save It?

The success of the Europa Clipper mission is critical for understanding potential life on Europa, and there are significant pressures and stakes involved.

Asteroid chunks from NASA deflection test may hit Earth in 10 years

NASA's asteroid deflection mission has successfully shown that debris could reach Earth but poses no threat, as it will burn up in the atmosphere.

Ultra Valuable Asteroid Appears to be Rusting, James Webb Images Reveal

The asteroid 16 Psyche may have rust, impacting theories about its origin and makeup.

The Mars Sample Return Mission Is at a Dangerous Crossroads

NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission could face challenges in terms of funding and delays, potentially hindering further exploration of the solar system.
The estimated cost for the completion of the MSR mission is between $8 billion and $11 billion, similar to the cost of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The Mars Sample Return Mission Is at a Dangerous Crossroads

NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission could face challenges in terms of funding and delays, potentially hindering further exploration of the solar system.
The estimated cost for the completion of the MSR mission is between $8 billion and $11 billion, similar to the cost of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Astronomer Lunine appointed chief scientist of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab | Cornell Chronicle

Jonathan I. Lunine appointed chief scientist of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
morenasa
#habitability

Meet Saturn's Death Star' Moon and the Intriguing Ocean It May Hide

The outer solar system may host many hidden oceans, increasing potential habitability of its moons, particularly Saturn's moon Mimas.

Saturn's moon Mimas may hide a surprisingly young ocean

Mimas may harbor a subsurface ocean, indicating the outer solar system could host more habitable environments than previously thought.

More water worlds than we thought might support life

Excess water on an exoplanet could inhibit the development of life, but deeper water may enable habitability despite high-pressure conditions.
New understandings of planetary formation suggest that exoplanets might be more complex in their water distribution than previously thought.

Saturn's Moon Mimas May Be Way More Inhabitable Than We First Thought

Mimas may have a hidden ocean beneath its icy crust, enhancing the habitability of the outer solar system.

Meet Saturn's Death Star' Moon and the Intriguing Ocean It May Hide

The outer solar system may host many hidden oceans, increasing potential habitability of its moons, particularly Saturn's moon Mimas.

Saturn's moon Mimas may hide a surprisingly young ocean

Mimas may harbor a subsurface ocean, indicating the outer solar system could host more habitable environments than previously thought.

More water worlds than we thought might support life

Excess water on an exoplanet could inhibit the development of life, but deeper water may enable habitability despite high-pressure conditions.
New understandings of planetary formation suggest that exoplanets might be more complex in their water distribution than previously thought.

Saturn's Moon Mimas May Be Way More Inhabitable Than We First Thought

Mimas may have a hidden ocean beneath its icy crust, enhancing the habitability of the outer solar system.
morehabitability

New Images of Mercury Show Speckled Surface in Sharp Detail

BepiColombo's recent flyby provided unprecedented images of Mercury, enhancing scientific understanding of the planet's surface.
#geophysics

Mysterious 'donut' structure is discovered hidden inside Earth's core

A newly discovered donut-shaped region in the Earth's outer core helps generate the planet's crucial magnetic field.
This structure contributes to the stirring of liquid metal, essential for sustaining life on Earth.

Vast doughnut' discovered in molten metal of Earth's core

A doughnut-shaped structure in the outer core affects seismic wave travel and is crucial for Earth's magnetic field.

Mysterious 'donut' structure is discovered hidden inside Earth's core

A newly discovered donut-shaped region in the Earth's outer core helps generate the planet's crucial magnetic field.
This structure contributes to the stirring of liquid metal, essential for sustaining life on Earth.

Vast doughnut' discovered in molten metal of Earth's core

A doughnut-shaped structure in the outer core affects seismic wave travel and is crucial for Earth's magnetic field.
moregeophysics

NASA discovers an invisible electric field surrounding Earth

NASA's discovery of the ambipolar electric field reveals a significant factor influencing Earth's atmosphere and the escape of particles into space.

Saturn's "Death Star" Moon Could be Hiding a Massive Ocean

Mimas, Saturn's moon, may harbor a giant underground ocean, challenging previous skepticism and suggesting new heating mechanisms might allow liquid water to exist.
#mars

Data From Mars Reveals Underground Liquid Water

A possible immense reservoir of liquid water found deep under Mars' surface, potentially supporting microbial life.

Early morning frost spotted on some of Mars's huge mountains

Frost is observed on Martian volcanoes' summits and equatorial regions, a first discovery indicating the planet's past climate conditions.

Data From Mars Reveals Underground Liquid Water

A possible immense reservoir of liquid water found deep under Mars' surface, potentially supporting microbial life.

Early morning frost spotted on some of Mars's huge mountains

Frost is observed on Martian volcanoes' summits and equatorial regions, a first discovery indicating the planet's past climate conditions.
moremars

New study suggests ocean of water lies beneath Mars's surface

There may be enough water beneath Mars' surface to form an ocean.

Why the European Space Agency should join the US mission to Uranus

The Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission aims to explore Uranus, its moons, and ice giant characteristics, essential for understanding planetary formation and evolution.

Could Dune really exist? What scientists think of our favorite sci-fi worlds : Short Wave

Dune: Part Two is out now, exploring the desert planet Arrakis with its giant sandworms, scarcity of water, and the valuable spice called melange.
Scientists like Mohamed Noor and Michael Wong are analyzing the feasibility of the science behind Dune, questioning the existence of giant sandworms and the lack of plant life generating oxygen.

Passing Star Altered Earth's Orbit, Scientists Say

Stellar encounters can impact Earth's orbit and climate evolution.
Close stellar encounters could perturb Earth's orbit due to the influence of neighboring giant planets.

The Mars Sample Return Mission Is at a Dangerous Crossroads

NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission could face challenges in terms of funding and delays, potentially hindering further exploration of the solar system.
The estimated cost for the completion of the MSR mission is between $8 billion and $11 billion, similar to the cost of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Why Is the Moon So Two-Faced? Fresh Samples from the Lunar Far Side May Offer Answers

Studying moon samples from the far side could unlock mysteries of lunar composition and history.

Our Planet Is About to Reach Its Greatest Distance From the Sun

Earth reaches aphelion every July, furthest from the sun due to its elliptical orbit.

An Odd Rock in a Box Gets Linked to a Shooting Star That Fell 54 Years Ago

Researchers connected a meteorite found in the Austrian Alps with flashes of light from a space rock hurtling through Earth's atmosphere, showing the value of looking into old data sets.
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