Synthetic lava in lab aids exoplanet exploration
The exploration era for the new James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is getting hot—volcanically hot......»»
Nanoscopic imaging aids in understanding protein, tissue preservation in ancient bones
A pilot study from North Carolina State University shows that nanoscopic 3D imaging of ancient bone not only provides further insight into the changes soft tissues undergo during fossilization, it also has potential as a fast, practical way to determ.....»»
Lunar infrastructure could be protected by autonomously building a rock wall
Lunar exploration equipment at any future lunar base is in danger from debris blasted toward it by subsequent lunar landers. This danger isn't just theoretical—Surveyor III was a lander during the Apollo era that was damaged by Apollo 12's descent.....»»
One half of this wild exoplanet reaches temperatures of 1,450 degrees Fahrenheit
On the planet WASP-39 b, one side is in perpetual morning and the other is in perpetual evening......»»
Newly Discovered Moon Caves Could One Day House Astronauts
Analysis of lunar imagery has ended a longstanding debate over whether there are accessible underground areas on the Moon; an emptied lava tube in the Sea of Tranquility is of particular interest......»»
Exoplanet-hunting telescope to begin search for another Earth in 2026
Europe's next big space mission—a telescope that will hunt for Earth-like rocky planets outside of our solar system—is on course to launch at the end of 2026......»»
NASA cans lunar rover after spending $450 million building it
NASA announced Wednesday that cost overruns and delays have forced it to cancel a planned moon rover it already spent $450 million to develop, marking a significant setback for the agency's lunar exploration program......»»
Fighting AI-powered synthetic ID fraud with AI
Aided by the emergence of generative artificial intelligence models, synthetic identity fraud has skyrocketed, and now accounts for a staggering 85% of all identity fraud cases. For security professionals, the challenge lies in staying one step ahead.....»»
NASA axes its moon rover project VIPER
The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover was intended to search the moon's polar regions for water, but will now be shelved due to budget issues......»»
Discovery alert: With six new exoplanets, 5,500 discovery milestone passed
On Aug. 24, 2023, more than three decades after the first confirmation of planets beyond our own solar system, scientists announced the discovery of six new exoplanets, stretching that number to 5,502. From zero exoplanet confirmations to more than 5.....»»
Exoplanet caught in "hairpin turn" signals how high-mass gas giants form
Astronomers have discovered a planet that has the most oblong orbit ever found among transiting planets. The exoplanet's extreme circuit—which looks closer to a cucumber than a circle—follows one of the most drastically stretched-out orbits of al.....»»
Astronomers detect dozens of new pulsating white dwarfs
Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), astronomers have detected 32 new bright pulsating DA white dwarfs of the ZZ Ceti subclass. The finding was reported in a research paper published July 9 on the pre-print server arXiv......»»
A walking balloon could one day explore Titan—or Earth"s sea floor
Novel ways to move on other celestial bodies always draw the attention of the space exploration community. Here at UT, we've reported on everything from robots that suspend themselves from the walls of Martian caves to robots that hop using jets of l.....»»
A hopping robot could explore Europa using locally harvested water
Various forms of hopping robots have crept into development for use in different space exploration missions. We've reported on their use on asteroids and even our own moon. But a study funded by NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) in 2018 p.....»»
Existence of lunar lava tube cave demonstrated
The presence of conduits below the lunar surface has been theorized and extensively debated for at least 50 years. Now, an analysis of NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter radar data reveals what lies below the Mare Tranquillitatis......»»
Could resources on Mars support human explorers?
In the coming decades, multiple space agencies and private companies plan to establish outposts on the moon and Mars. These outposts will allow for long-duration stays, astrobiological research, and facilitate future solar system exploration. However.....»»
Webb investigates eternal sunrises, sunsets on distant world
Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope have finally confirmed what models have previously predicted: An exoplanet has differences between its eternal morning and eternal evening atmosphere. WASP-39 b, a giant planet with a diameter 1.3 time.....»»
Nearby exoplanet could be first known ocean world: Webb telescope
A planet relatively close to Earth could be the first ever detected with a potentially life-sustaining liquid ocean outside our Solar System, according to scientists using the James Webb space telescope......»»
Exploring three-dimensional quantum Griffiths singularity in bulk unconventional iron-based superconductors
Exploration of exotic quantum phase transitions has always been a focus in condensed matter physics. Critical phenomena in a phase transition are entirely determined by the universality class, which is controlled by the spatial and/or order-parameter.....»»
James Webb Space Telescope suggests this exoplanet is our "best bet" at finding an alien ocean
James Webb Space Telescope suggests this exoplanet is our "best bet" at finding an alien ocean.....»»
Using microwave sintering to produce "space brick" for a future moon base
The recent discovery of energy resources on the moon, such as water ice, has refocused interest on its potential as a sustainable hub for space exploration. NASA has also announced the Artemis mission, aiming for long-term human presence on the lunar.....»»