How does a star affect the makeup of its planets, and what does this mean for their habitability? Luke Bouma of Carnegie studies this using natural ‘space weather stations’ around at least 10% of young M dwarfs. He is sharing his research at the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society. M Dwarf Planets: How […]
M Dwarf Plasma Rings Offer Hints On Planet Habitability Read More »
A study by two physicists at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that, on average, clocks on Mars run about 477 microseconds faster per day than those on Earth. Although this time difference remains extremely small, it can significantly impact efforts to synchronize clocks precisely between Earth, the Moon, and Mars.
Researchers Determine How Much Faster Time Moves on Mars Read More »
On November 13, the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamic Explorers (EscaPADE) mission was launched into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket. EscaPADE is a NASA mission made up of two identical spacecraft, each roughly a meter in size, called Blue and Gold. Its mission is to investigate the magnetic and plasma environment surrounding
EscaPADE Is Intended to Carry Out Research On Mars Read More »
When a meteor flashes through the sky, it’s more than a striking sight—it’s nature delivering a time capsule to Earth. Inside are clues to the solar system’s earliest days and the processes that shaped planets, including our own. In a recent Space Science Reviews paper—soon to be included as a chapter in an upcoming textbook—Lawrence
Meteorite Samples Are Time Capsules of The Early Solar System Read More »
They’re not serving sushi on the Moon—at least not yet—but when that day comes, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and DASSAI want sake to be part of the menu. To move toward that goal, the two companies are launching a rice fermentation experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS). One long-running joke of the Space Race was
Sake to the Stars: Japan Prepares to Launch its Lunar Brewing Experiment Read More »
A recent study proposes that alien civilizations could potentially pick up on the signals we use to communicate with our spacecraft and rovers—and that we might detect them in a similar way. Radio Waves That Spill Into Space When scientists send instructions to a Mars rover or redirect an orbiter, they rely on strong radio
Aliens Might Be Listening to Our Radio Signals, NASA Study Suggests Read More »
A recent NASA study shows that the Sun has been growing more active since 2008. While solar activity typically follows 11-year cycles, it also experiences longer-term shifts that can span decades. For example, solar activity had been steadily declining since the 1980s, reaching a record low in 2008. At the time, scientists believed the Sun
NASA Research Reveals That The Sun’s Activity Is Intensifying Read More »
While water is vital for life on Earth, scientists have long assumed it’s also essential for life elsewhere. This belief has shaped decades of thinking about planetary habitability. However, the factors that make a planet habitable may have little to do with water. In fact, life could potentially exist in environments where water is scarce,
Radio astronomers crave silence, so the inaugural off‑planet radio telescope is headed somewhere truly quiet: the Moon’s hidden hemisphere. The Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment – Night (LuSEE‑Night) will touch down on the far side, using the lunar bulk to muffle the cacophony of Earth‑generated radio chatter. Revolutionizing Astronomy Through Radio Waves Radio astronomy has completely reshaped our
World’s First Lunar Radio Telescope Gears Up for a Far‑Side Expedition Read More »
Challenging long-held assumptions, new NASA research reveals that Uranus isn’t as frigid as once thought. Contrary to previous beliefs, the ice giant actually generates internal heat, much like other planets in the solar system. A Planet That Defies Expectations In a planetary lineup filled with oddballs, Uranus still manages to stand out. As the seventh
Uranus Is Hotter Than Previously Believed Read More »