Astronomers Witness the End of a World
Astronomers recently observed a planet being eaten by its star. In billions of years, the Earth will experience the same fate. Continue reading Astronomers Witness the End of a World
Tag: Astronomy
Arabia Terra on Mars Once Had Water — But Only Briefly
Temperature studies of rocks on Mars reveal water was briefly present in a part called Arabia Terra. Continue reading Arabia Terra on Mars Once Had Water — But Only Briefly
Finding Life in Space: Why are we so special?
by Wei Lifigures by Catherine Ding The universe is massive, with an estimated 70 quintillion planets—that is 70 followed by an additional 18 zeros. In the Milky Way alone, where we reside, there are billions of planets. With these huge numbers, Earth seems very insignificant in the grand scheme of things. This raises the question: are we truly alone in this vast space of the … Continue reading Finding Life in Space: Why are we so special?
What Does an Astronomer Do?
How do you introduce yourself, scientifically? I generally say that I’m an astronomer. More specifically, I’m an exoplanet astronomer, meaning I study planets that exist around other stars. In our solar system, all the planets orbit the Sun. I’m looking at planets in other stellar systems, orbiting stars much further away than the Sun. What are the implications or broader impacts of your work? This is … Continue reading What Does an Astronomer Do?
Europa’s Glowing Ice Could Shine Light on the Moon’s Subterranean Secrets
Jupiter’s moon Europa might not need the sun’s rays to glow. If so, its color will shed light on the chemistry of the ocean world. Continue reading Europa’s Glowing Ice Could Shine Light on the Moon’s Subterranean Secrets
Going Rogue in Space
A team of international astronomers have identified the smallest free-floating “rogue” planet observed to date. Continue reading Going Rogue in Space
Underground Lakes Discovered on Martian Polar Cap
Scientists have discovered four lakes buried under the icy surface of the red planet. Could they lead us to biological life? Continue reading Underground Lakes Discovered on Martian Polar Cap
Signatures of Life in Venus’s Clouds
A toxic and scorching hot planet, Venus has never been considered a likely candidate for harboring extraterrestrial life, but a molecule detected in its clouds is turning heads. Continue reading Signatures of Life in Venus’s Clouds
Bacteria May Have Figured Out Space Travel
Astrobiologists have discovered a way for exposed bacteria to survive voyages through space, giving them the potential to spread life throughout the universe. Continue reading Bacteria May Have Figured Out Space Travel
Artificial Sunscreen Protects Cells from X-ray Radiation
Researchers create a melanin particle containing selenium, providing even more protection from harsh UV rays. These nanoparticles can be incorporated into clothing – providing astronauts a very lightweight alternative to lead shielding. Continue reading Artificial Sunscreen Protects Cells from X-ray Radiation