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New Research Suggests Mars Experienced Warm and Cold Periods Affecting Liquid Water
New research from Harvard University suggests that Mars experienced alternating warm and cold periods billions of years ago, affecting its climate and ability to sustain liquid water. These fluctuations, which lasted up to 100,000 years, may have influenced the planet’s potential for life. The study highlights the role of hydrogen in trapping hea...
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Interstellar Object Could Have Shifted Trajectories of Four Planets, New Research Shows
A recent study suggests that an interstellar object, possibly as massive as eight times Jupiter, may have passed through the solar system billions of years ago, significantly altering the orbits of its outer planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Using computer simulations, researchers found that in about 1% of the scenarios, such a close ...
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Scientists Uncover 'Sunken Worlds' Deep in Earth’s Mantle, Defying Geological Expectations
A new study has uncovered unusual anomalies deep within Earth's mantle, resembling sunken crustal slabs in unexpected locations. Using advanced full-waveform inversion, scientists were able to map these structures, revealing hidden patterns that challenge current geological understanding. These anomalies were discovered far from tectonic activity z...
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Amateur Astronomer Discovers Unexpected Composition of Jupiter’s Clouds
Recent observations by an amateur astronomer reveal that Jupiter’s clouds may not consist of ammonia ice as previously assumed. Using a technique called band-depth analysis, Steve Hill mapped ammonia concentrations in the planet’s atmosphere, finding reflective layers deeper than expected. These findings suggest the clouds may be composed of am...
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Ammonium Hydrosulfide Identified as Primary Component of Jupiter’s Clouds, Not Ammonia
Jupiter’s clouds, long believed to be made of ammonia ice, are now confirmed to consist primarily of ammonium hydrosulfide combined with photochemical materials. This groundbreaking discovery, achieved through collaboration between amateur and professional astronomers, has redefined our understanding of the planet's atmosphere. Using innovative m...
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Newly Discovered Oxygen Reaction Existed in Primitive Atmosphere, Sheds Light on Origin of Life
Scientists have uncovered a new way oxygen could form in carbon dioxide-rich atmospheres without the involvement of life. The discovery, led by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, shows that a reaction between helium ions and CO2 can produce molecular oxygen. This process challenges traditional methods of life detect...
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Researchers Unveil New Theory on the Formation of Jupiter-Mass Binary Objects
A team of researchers has proposed a new theory explaining the formation of Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs), identified in 2023 in the Orion Nebula. The theory involves photo erosion, where radiation from massive stars strips away mass from stellar cores, shaping JuMBOs into objects with masses comparable to Jupiter. This theory sheds light on...
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New Study Challenges Planet Formation Models with PDS 70b’s Chemical Mystery
A new study on PDS 70b, a forming exoplanet located 400 light-years away, reveals a significant mismatch between its atmospheric composition and the surrounding protoplanetary disk. This discovery casts doubt on existing planet formation models, suggesting that more research is needed to understand how planets gather materials and elements during t...
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TRAPPIST-1b Could Have Carbon Dioxide-Rich Atmosphere, Study Reveals
A new study published in Nature Astronomy proposes that TRAPPIST-1b, the innermost planet in the TRAPPIST-1 system, might have a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere. This discovery comes from new data showing a reflective haze in the planet's upper atmosphere. Scientists are also investigating the possibility of volcanic activity based on the planet’s...
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NASA Investigates Ingenuity’s Last Flight, Explains Why it Crashed on its 72nd Flight
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, initially planned for five flights, completed 72 missions, ending its journey on January 18, 2024. Its final flight encountered navigation challenges over Jezero Crater's featureless terrain, leading to rotor blade damage. Despite being grounded, Ingenuity continues contributing data to Mars research. NASA is now...
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JWST Discovers Jupiter-Mass Binary Objects in Orion Nebula, Offering New Clues
The James Webb Space Telescope has identified dozens of Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs) in the Orion Nebula. These enigmatic rogue gas giant pairs orbit each other at distances of 25 to 400 AU. Researchers propose they could be failed stars formed under extreme radiation conditions, ejected planetary systems, or a mix of both. Simulations repl...
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Venus Never Had Oceans or Conditions to Support Life, New Study Finds
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have concluded that Venus likely never had oceans or conditions to support life. Their study, published in Nature Astronomy, analysed atmospheric chemistry and volcanic activity. They found that volcanic gases lacked significant steam, indicating the planet's interior has always been dry. This research ha...
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Here's How Our Solar System Could Capture Interstellar Objects And Rogue Planets
The key to this phenomenon lies in the concept of phase space, a mathematical representation that describes the state of a dynamical system like our solar system.
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NASA’s Curiosity Rover Set to Target Spiderweb-Like 'Boxworks Deposits' on Mars' Surface
NASA’s Curiosity rover is set to explore Martian "spiderweb" formations, known as boxwork, which may reveal secrets about the planet’s ancient watery past. These unique structures, first observed decades ago, could help scientists understand Mars' history of water and the potential for past life. The rover’s investigation aims to study minera...
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James Webb Space Telescope Reveals Unique Features of Westerlund 1 Star Cluster
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured groundbreaking images of Westerlund 1, a supermassive star cluster located 12,000 light-years away. The new findings offer a closer look at star formation processes, particularly the discovery of brown dwarfs, and highlight the role of energetic radiation in shaping planetary environments.
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New Research Suggests Mars Experienced Warm and Cold Periods Affecting Liquid Water
New research from Harvard University suggests that Mars experienced alternating warm and cold periods billions of years ago, affecting its climate and ability to sustain liquid water. These fluctuations, which lasted up to 100,000 years, may have influenced the planet’s potential for life. The study highlights the role of hydrogen in trapping hea...
-
Interstellar Object Could Have Shifted Trajectories of Four Planets, New Research Shows
A recent study suggests that an interstellar object, possibly as massive as eight times Jupiter, may have passed through the solar system billions of years ago, significantly altering the orbits of its outer planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Using computer simulations, researchers found that in about 1% of the scenarios, such a close ...
-
Scientists Uncover 'Sunken Worlds' Deep in Earth’s Mantle, Defying Geological Expectations
A new study has uncovered unusual anomalies deep within Earth's mantle, resembling sunken crustal slabs in unexpected locations. Using advanced full-waveform inversion, scientists were able to map these structures, revealing hidden patterns that challenge current geological understanding. These anomalies were discovered far from tectonic activity z...
-
Amateur Astronomer Discovers Unexpected Composition of Jupiter’s Clouds
Recent observations by an amateur astronomer reveal that Jupiter’s clouds may not consist of ammonia ice as previously assumed. Using a technique called band-depth analysis, Steve Hill mapped ammonia concentrations in the planet’s atmosphere, finding reflective layers deeper than expected. These findings suggest the clouds may be composed of am...
-
Ammonium Hydrosulfide Identified as Primary Component of Jupiter’s Clouds, Not Ammonia
Jupiter’s clouds, long believed to be made of ammonia ice, are now confirmed to consist primarily of ammonium hydrosulfide combined with photochemical materials. This groundbreaking discovery, achieved through collaboration between amateur and professional astronomers, has redefined our understanding of the planet's atmosphere. Using innovative m...
-
Newly Discovered Oxygen Reaction Existed in Primitive Atmosphere, Sheds Light on Origin of Life
Scientists have uncovered a new way oxygen could form in carbon dioxide-rich atmospheres without the involvement of life. The discovery, led by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, shows that a reaction between helium ions and CO2 can produce molecular oxygen. This process challenges traditional methods of life detect...
-
Researchers Unveil New Theory on the Formation of Jupiter-Mass Binary Objects
A team of researchers has proposed a new theory explaining the formation of Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs), identified in 2023 in the Orion Nebula. The theory involves photo erosion, where radiation from massive stars strips away mass from stellar cores, shaping JuMBOs into objects with masses comparable to Jupiter. This theory sheds light on...
-
New Study Challenges Planet Formation Models with PDS 70b’s Chemical Mystery
A new study on PDS 70b, a forming exoplanet located 400 light-years away, reveals a significant mismatch between its atmospheric composition and the surrounding protoplanetary disk. This discovery casts doubt on existing planet formation models, suggesting that more research is needed to understand how planets gather materials and elements during t...
-
TRAPPIST-1b Could Have Carbon Dioxide-Rich Atmosphere, Study Reveals
A new study published in Nature Astronomy proposes that TRAPPIST-1b, the innermost planet in the TRAPPIST-1 system, might have a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere. This discovery comes from new data showing a reflective haze in the planet's upper atmosphere. Scientists are also investigating the possibility of volcanic activity based on the planet’s...
-
NASA Investigates Ingenuity’s Last Flight, Explains Why it Crashed on its 72nd Flight
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, initially planned for five flights, completed 72 missions, ending its journey on January 18, 2024. Its final flight encountered navigation challenges over Jezero Crater's featureless terrain, leading to rotor blade damage. Despite being grounded, Ingenuity continues contributing data to Mars research. NASA is now...
-
JWST Discovers Jupiter-Mass Binary Objects in Orion Nebula, Offering New Clues
The James Webb Space Telescope has identified dozens of Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs) in the Orion Nebula. These enigmatic rogue gas giant pairs orbit each other at distances of 25 to 400 AU. Researchers propose they could be failed stars formed under extreme radiation conditions, ejected planetary systems, or a mix of both. Simulations repl...
-
Venus Never Had Oceans or Conditions to Support Life, New Study Finds
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have concluded that Venus likely never had oceans or conditions to support life. Their study, published in Nature Astronomy, analysed atmospheric chemistry and volcanic activity. They found that volcanic gases lacked significant steam, indicating the planet's interior has always been dry. This research ha...
-
Here's How Our Solar System Could Capture Interstellar Objects And Rogue Planets
The key to this phenomenon lies in the concept of phase space, a mathematical representation that describes the state of a dynamical system like our solar system.
-
NASA’s Curiosity Rover Set to Target Spiderweb-Like 'Boxworks Deposits' on Mars' Surface
NASA’s Curiosity rover is set to explore Martian "spiderweb" formations, known as boxwork, which may reveal secrets about the planet’s ancient watery past. These unique structures, first observed decades ago, could help scientists understand Mars' history of water and the potential for past life. The rover’s investigation aims to study minera...
-
James Webb Space Telescope Reveals Unique Features of Westerlund 1 Star Cluster
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured groundbreaking images of Westerlund 1, a supermassive star cluster located 12,000 light-years away. The new findings offer a closer look at star formation processes, particularly the discovery of brown dwarfs, and highlight the role of energetic radiation in shaping planetary environments.
