How do you recognize the atmosphere of extraterrestrial lava worlds?
In the past 30 years, more than 5,000 planets have been discovered outside our solar system. One common exoplanet is the lava world, a hot super-Earth with oceans of liquid lava. Mantas Zilinskas developed models to simulate possible atmospheres of t.....»»
"Widespread noncompliance and poor performance" in world"s largest nature-based carbon removal projects
One of the largest types of carbon offset projects the Australian government is using to meet climate change targets and reduce carbon in the atmosphere is failing to do so, new research has shown. The findings are published in The Rangeland Journal......»»
Huge waves in the atmosphere dump extreme rain on northern Australia
In 2023, almost a year's worth of rain fell over ten days in parts of northwestern Australia, leading to catastrophic flooding in the town of Fitzroy Crossing and surrounds. The rainfall was linked to a tropical cyclone, but there were also lesser-kn.....»»
James Webb discovers a new type of exoplanet: an exotic ‘steam world’
Researchers using James Webb have identified a new and exotic type of planet called a steam world, with an atmosphere almost entirely composed of water vapor......»»
Study suggests elephants remember zookeepers after many years
An elephant never forgets, as the saying goes. In fact, there is evidence that proboscideans still remember the waterholes they once visited decades later. They also often recognize fellow elephants that they have not encountered for a long time. But.....»»
NASA"s Europa Clipper spacecraft will investigate whether an icy moon of Jupiter can support alien life
Discovering extraterrestrial life would be one of the most profound scientific and philosophical revelations that our species has ever made. But such a big discovery won't come easy. Our starting point is to first search other worlds for signs of hab.....»»
Nepalis fear more floods as climate change melts glaciers
Mingma Rita Sherpa was not home when the muddy torrent roared into his village in Nepal without warning, but when he returned, he did not recognize his once beautiful settlement......»»
Increased sea surface cooling from hurricanes observed along the Southeast Coast of the United States in recent decades
Utilizing satellite observations and ocean reanalysis datasets, researchers have analyzed the change in sea surface cooling induced by hurricanes and the corresponding ocean-atmosphere environment along the Gulf and Southeast coastal regions of the U.....»»
New mission to create total solar eclipses in space
A UK team of researchers including UCL's Professor Lucie Green are working on the launch of a spacecraft mission that will allow us to view the sun's atmosphere in more detail than ever before......»»
What makes a person seem wise? Global study finds that cultures do differ—but not as much as you"d think
We all admire wise people, don't we? Whether it's a thoughtful teacher, a compassionate doctor, or an elder in the community, we recognize wisdom when we see it. But have you ever thought about how people in different cultures perceive wisdom? Does s.....»»
Another building block of life can handle Venus" sulfuric acid
Venus is often described as a hellscape. The surface temperature breaches the melting point of lead, and though its atmosphere is dominated by carbon dioxide, it contains enough sulfuric acid to satisfy the comparison with Hades......»»
New approach reveals details about aerosol properties from hard-to-sample areas in the atmosphere
The spatial distribution of ambient aerosol particles plays a huge role in aerosol–radiation–cloud interactions; however, not enough sampling has been done from the atmospheric boundary layer and lower free troposphere. This leaves large gaps in.....»»
Mixing it up: Hybrid work models can offer the best of both worlds for worker well-being and productivity
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sparked debate on the future of work in New Zealand this week when he ordered public service employees back to the office......»»
Study shows Mars" early thick atmosphere could be locked up in the planet"s clay surface
Mars wasn't always the cold desert we see today. There's increasing evidence that water once flowed on the red planet's surface, billions of years ago. And if there was water, there must also have been a thick atmosphere to keep that water from freez.....»»
Ice cores show pollution"s impact on Arctic atmosphere
A Dartmouth-led study on ice cores from Alaska and Greenland found that air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels reaches the remote Arctic in amounts large enough to alter its fundamental atmospheric chemistry. The findings illustrate the long.....»»
Researchers name beetle after National Geographic photographer
A new beetle species has been named to honor a fellow Husker, bridging the worlds of academia and wildlife conservation......»»
Astronomers catch a glimpse of a uniquely inflated and asymmetric exoplanet
An international group of researchers including University of Arizona astronomers, using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, has observed the atmosphere of a hot and uniquely inflated exoplanet. The exoplanet, which is the size of Jupiter but only a t.....»»
Potential indicators of life on other planets can be created in a lab
One way to understand the potential for life on far-off planets—those in other solar systems that orbit different stars—is to study a planet's atmosphere. Telescopic images often capture traces of gases that may indicate life and habitable planet.....»»
Study raises questions about validity of standard model of solar flares
Solar flares are extremely intense events that occur in the sun's atmosphere, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. According to the standard flare model, the energy that triggers these explosions is transported by accelerated electro.....»»
Could stars hotter than the sun still support life?
Although most potentially habitable worlds orbit red dwarf stars, we know larger and brighter stars can harbor life. One yellow dwarf star, for example, is known to have a planet teaming with life, perhaps even intelligent life. But how large and bri.....»»
High-resolution images of the sun show how flares impact the solar atmosphere
Solar flares are a fascinating thing and have a profound effect on what astronomers refer to as "space weather." These events vary with the sun's 11-year solar cycle, releasing immense amounts of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum (from ex.....»»