If Earth were an exoplanet, JWST would know there"s an intelligent civilization here
If we're going to look for life on other worlds, why not start with the one planet we know has life? Earth's atmosphere is rich with oxygen and molecules such as methane, which strongly suggest the presence of life. It also has traces of molecules su.....»»
Scottish and Irish rocks confirmed as rare record of "snowball Earth"
A rock formation spanning Ireland and Scotland may be the world's most complete record of "snowball Earth," a crucial moment in planetary history when the globe was covered in ice, finds a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers......»»
An asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, not a comet, new study finds
Analysis of ruthenium isotopes showed the impactor was a carbonaceous-type asteroid. Enlarge / Artist impression of a large asteroid impacting on Earth, such as the Chicxulub event that caused the end-Cretaceous mass extinction 6.....»»
How researchers reconstructed the ancestor of all life on Earth
Understanding how life began and evolved on Earth is a question that has fascinated humans for a long time, and modern scientists have made great advances when it comes to finding some answers. Now, our recent study hopes to offer new insights into t.....»»
Researchers develop a test bed for separating valuable material on the moon
It's often better to flesh out technologies fully on Earth's surface before they're used in space. That is doubly true if that technology is part of the critical infrastructure keeping astronauts alive on the moon......»»
August"s supermoon kicks off four months of lunar spectacles. Here"s how to watch
The first of four supermoons this year rises next week, providing tantalizing views of Earth's constant companion......»»
Japan"s first-ever megaquake advisory brings worry and confusion. What does it mean?
Japan, one of the most earthquake-prone nations on earth, issued its first-ever "megaquake advisory" last week after a powerful quake struck off the southeastern coast of the southern main island of Kyushu......»»
NASA agreement with oil company BP could see its technology used on moon
While most often used to drill for oil on Earth, BP has entered an agreement with NASA which could see its technology used to drill for resources on the moon......»»
Earth"s oldest, tiniest creatures are poised to be climate change winners—and the repercussions could be huge
The world's oceans are home to microscopic organisms invisible to the human eye. The tiny creatures, known as "prokaryotes," comprise 30% of life in the world's oceans......»»
This Gargantuan Lab Simulates Blasting Satellites Into Space
If you spend millions of dollars developing a satellite, you need to know it can handle the rigors of hurtling around the Earth at 17,000 mph. The UK's National Satellite Test Facility is here to help......»»
Rocks collected on Mars hold key to water and perhaps life on the planet: Researchers urge bringing them back to Earth
Over the course of nearly five months in 2022, NASA's Perseverance rover collected rock samples from Mars that could rewrite the history of water on the red planet and even contain evidence for past life on Mars......»»
Early improvement of sandy habitat led to origin of agriculture in the farming-pastoral zone of northern China: Study
The beginning of agriculture is one of the most significant events in human history. The origin and spread of agriculture accelerated the development of human society and economy and fundamentally altered humans' role in the Earth's ecosystem. This a.....»»
Researchers figure out how to keep clocks on the Earth, Moon in sync
A single standardized Earth/Moon time would aid communications, enable lunar GPS. Enlarge / Without adjustments for relativity, clocks here and on the Moon would rapidly diverge. (credit: NASA) Timing is everything these.....»»
NASA just shut down a planetary defense mission that tracks asteroids. Now what?
Launched in 2011, NASA's NEOWISE mission operated in Earth's orbit until late last week. It detected more than 3,000 near-Earth objects or NEOs—asteroids or comets whose orbits can bring them close to Earth, even with the possibility of a collision.....»»
Findings reveal eurypterids evolved giant size independently at least nine times
Sea scorpions, ancient predators that patrolled Earth's marine and freshwater habitats hundreds of millions of years ago, are the focus of a sizable scientific mystery......»»
Shipping emissions regulations enacted in 2020 improved air quality but accelerated warming, study finds
Last year marked Earth's warmest year on record. A new study finds that some of 2023's record warmth, nearly 20%, likely came as a result of reduced sulfur emissions from the shipping industry. Much of this warming is concentrated over the northern h.....»»
The biggest-ever sample of core material from Earth"s mantle could have valuable clues into the origins of life
If you were to slice through it, you would see the Earth is divided into distinct layers. On top is the relatively thin crust where we live. Beneath that is the 2,900 km thick mantle layer. Then, enclosed within the mantle is the innermost metallic c.....»»
Earth hit by "severe" solar storm
The Earth was hit Monday by an intense solar storm that could bring the northern lights to night skies further south than normal, a US agency announced......»»
SpaceX to launch first human spaceflight over Earth’s polar regions
A private space mission operated by SpaceX will become the first crewed voyage designed specifically to explore Earth’s polar regions......»»
Arctic Ocean may absorb less CO₂ than projected due to coastal erosion
As Earth warms, the Arctic Ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is waning due to melting permafrost and worsening coastal erosion, according to new research......»»
"All of us urgently need to band together to pass a robust and just Earth to future generations," says expert
An article in a special issue on The Planetary Future published in Environmental Policy and Law considers the Planetary Trust as an essential framework underlying today's kaleidoscopic world, reviews important developments in implementing the Trust,.....»»