Some icy exoplanets may have habitable oceans and geysers
A NASA study expands the search for life beyond our solar system by indicating that 17 exoplanets (worlds outside our solar system) could have oceans of liquid water, an essential ingredient for life, beneath icy shells. Water from these oceans could.....»»
If exoplanets have lightning, it"ll complicate the search for life
Discovering exoplanets is almost routine now. We've found over 5,500 exoplanets, and the next step is to study their atmospheres and look for biosignatures. The James Webb Space Telescope is leading the way in that effort. But in some exoplanet atmos.....»»
Global dataset shows protecting fish doesn"t have to mean neglecting people
With fish stocks declining globally, more than 190 countries recently made a commitment to protect about a third of the world's oceans within "Marine Protected Areas," or MPAs by the year 2030. But these designated areas of the ocean where fishing is.....»»
A new theoretical development clarifies water"s electronic structure
There is no doubt that water is significant. Without it, life would never have begun, let alone continue today—not to mention its role in the environment itself, with oceans covering over 70% of Earth......»»
Earth"s early evolution: Fresh insights from rocks formed 3.5 billion years ago
Our Earth is around 4.5 billion years old. Way back in its earliest years, vast oceans dominated. There were frequent volcanic eruptions and, because there was no free oxygen in the atmosphere, there was no ozone layer. It was a dynamic and evolving.....»»
Solar physics: Why study it? What can it teach us about finding life beyond Earth?
Universe Today has investigated the importance of studying impact craters, planetary surfaces, exoplanets, and astrobiology, and what these disciplines can teach both researchers and the public about finding life beyond Earth. Here, we will discuss t.....»»
Researchers find destruction of oceans" worth of water per month in Orion Nebula
An international team, including Western astrophysicists Els Peeters and Jan Cami, has found the destruction and re-formation of a large quantity of water in a planet-forming disk located at the heart of the Orion Nebula......»»
Satellites increasingly critical for monitoring ocean health
Playing a huge role in moderating the climate, oceans are fundamental to the functioning of our planet. Understanding more about how seawater temperatures are rising and how oceans are absorbing excess atmospheric carbon dioxide, as well as knock-on.....»»
Research shows how air pollution has offset expected increases in rainfall
We know that greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide should increase rainfall. The emissions heat the atmosphere, causing a one-two punch: Warmer oceans make it easier for water to evaporate, and warmer air can hold more water vapor, meaning mor.....»»
Possible atmospheric destruction of a potentially habitable exoplanet
Astrophysicists studying a popular exoplanet in its star's habitable zone have found that electric currents in the planet's upper atmosphere could create sufficient heating to expand the atmosphere enough that it leaves the planet, likely leaving the.....»»
Examining viruses that can help "dial up" carbon capture in the sea
Armed with a catalog of hundreds of thousands of DNA and RNA virus species in the world's oceans, scientists are now zeroing in on the viruses most likely to combat climate change by helping trap carbon dioxide in seawater or, using similar technique.....»»
James Webb photographs two potential exoplanets orbiting white dwarfs
The James Webb Space Telescope recently imaged two potential exoplanets orbiting around small, cold cores of dead stars called white dwarfs......»»
Skyrocketing ocean temperatures have scientists scratching their heads
Shattered temperature records have grim implications for hurricane season. Enlarge (credit: jay_zynism via Getty) For nearly a year now, a bizarre heating event has been unfolding across the world’s oceans. In March 20.....»»
How do oceans start to close? New study suggests the Atlantic may "soon" enter its declining phase
A new study, resorting to computational models, predicts that a subduction zone currently below the Gibraltar Strait will propagate further inside the Atlantic and contribute to forming an Atlantic subduction system—an Atlantic ring of fire. This w.....»»
Saturn"s largest moon most likely uninhabitable
A study led by Western astrobiologist Catherine Neish shows the subsurface ocean of Titan—the largest moon of Saturn—is most likely a non-habitable environment, meaning any hope of finding life in the icy world is dead in the water......»»
Synthetic fibers and tire abrasion found to have the strongest impact on corals
Corals feed on plankton that they catch from the seawater. Due to the increasing pollution of the oceans, they also ingest tiny plastic particles. Sometimes, the corals are unable to expel the microplastics from their bodies. Instead, they store it i.....»»
How to buy sustainable salmon: An expert guide to navigating the nuance of eco-labels
We've all been there. You're in the supermarket freezer aisle trying to make sense of the different labels on seafood products. You know the oceans are in trouble and you're trying to do the right thing, but the information is confusing and seemingly.....»»
Is there a new deep-sea fishery on the horizon?
The world's oceans contain huge volumes of unexploited resource species living at depths between 200 and 1,000 meters in the so-called mesopelagic zone. They have the potential to provide humans with valuable resources such as oils and proteins, and.....»»
JWST data suggest exoplanet K2-18b may have molten surface rather than a watery ocean
A multi-institutional team of astronomers, Earth scientists and planetary physicists has found evidence, via data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), that some hycean exoplanets may have molten surfaces rather than watery oceans. In their stu.....»»
NASA launches PACE satellite to observe Earth’s oceans and atmosphere
NASA has launched its latest Earth-monitoring mission, a satellite that studies the atmosphere and the oceans, as well as their relationship to climate change......»»
NASA climate satellite blasts off to survey oceans and atmosphere of a warming Earth
NASA's newest climate satellite rocketed into orbit Thursday to survey the world's oceans and atmosphere in never-before-seen detail......»»