Planet

Scientists identify nearby 'super-Earth' as promising candidate in search for alien life - study

NASA plans to launch the Habitable Worlds Observatory in the 2040s, a mission whose goal is “to image Earth-like planets around other sun-like stars,” according to NASA’s website.

TESS, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is shown in this conceptual illustration obtained by Reuters on March 28, 2018.
An artist's concept of a dwarf planet.

Atmosphere detected on celestial body in solar system's far reaches

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McDonough Meteorite: 23-Gram Visitor Older Than Our Planet Blasts Through Family Roof

 TOI-6894b Exoplanet - artist's impression.

Unexpected giant: Saturn-mass planet found orbiting tiny red dwarf


What's inside the moon? - study

The researchers of the study combined geophysical and geodesic constraints from the Monte Carlo exploration with heat and energy simulations for different internal structures inside the Moon.

 A moon is seen during a lunar eclipse, in Shanghai, China November 8, 2022.

Astronomers capture dying star engulfing a planet - study

According to the study, the planet was likely similar in size and composition to our solar system's Neptune or Jupiter. 

The luminous, hot star Wolf-Rayet 124 (WR 124) is prominent at the center of the James Webb Space Telescope’s composite image combining near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelengths of light from Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera and Mid-Infrared Instrument.

Scientists find rare metal in exoplanet atmosphere - study

This exoplanet orbits a distant star about 670 light years away from Earth and boasts an average temperature of an astonishing 4,000 degrees Celsius. 

 This illustration conceptualizes the swirling clouds identified by the James Webb Space Telescope in the atmosphere of exoplanet VHS 1256 b.

Metal-poor stars more likely to have planets with alien life - study

While one might think metal-rich stars would be more likely to have planets with life, planets around metal-poor stars have better shielding to UV radiation.

 Artistic illustration of planets orbiting a red dwarf star.

How did Earth get its water? Exoplanet research raises new theories

Israeli-born scientist says study is the first step in determining whether there is life on planets beyond our solar system.

Satellite view of Israel and the Middle East

How can we defend Earth against asteroids? This scientist has an idea

The traditional approach to this hypothetical scenario is to deflect the orbit of the incoming threat, but a scientist recently proposed an innovative approach.

 An asteroid is seen heading toward Earth in this illustrative image

Study explains how primordial life survived on 'Snowball Earth'

"Compared to the most recent Ice Age, glacier coverage was much more extensive and, more importantly, much of the ocean was frozen," Xiao said.

Planet Earth globe

Saturn’s rings heat up the surrounding atmosphere – study

The researchers discovered this by looking at the excess ultraviolet radiation, which is seen as a line of hydrogen in Saturn’s atmosphere.

An image of Saturn taken by NASA's shuttle Cassini.

Get your telescopes ready: Five planets to align on Monday

Scientists recommend finding a clear view of the western horizon and using binoculars to view the planets.

 This artist's impression shows two Earth-sized worlds passing in front of their parent red dwarf star, which is much smaller and cooler than our Sun. The star and its orbiting planets TRAPPIST-1b and TRAPPIST-1c reside 40 light-years away.

Is this the most volatile exoplanet ever seen in space? - study

Exoplanet VHS 1256 b is a gas giant 40 light years away from Earth that orbits a binary star system. Its constant shifts in brightness with its clouds make it the most volatile world ever seen.

 This illustration conceptualizes the swirling clouds identified by the James Webb Space Telescope in the atmosphere of exoplanet VHS 1256 b.