Planetary Geology - Part 3
86 reports
Exoplanets Smaller Than Mars May Lose Atmospheres Too Quickly for Life
A new planetary modeling study suggests rocky exoplanets must be at least 80% the width of Earth to retain atmospheres for billions of years, narrowing the search for potentially habitable worlds around sun-like stars
NISAR Satellite Data Reveals Antarctic Ice Fractures in Unprecedented Detail
NASA and ISRO have begun releasing data from the NISAR satellite's dual radar systems, offering researchers new insights into the movement and structure of Antarctic ice and other dynamic Earth surfaces
Possible Ancient Impact Crater Identified in Northern Quebec
A large circular structure in Quebec's Côte-Nord region, first noticed on Google Maps, may be a 390-million-year-old impact crater. Fieldwork and rock analysis are underway to confirm its extraterrestrial origin
NASA Eyes Mars Skies 50 Years After Viking 1's Landmark Landing
NASA's Viking 1 lander touched down on Mars in 1976, launching a new era of planetary exploration. Now, five decades later, the agency is preparing to extend its reach above the Martian surface with aerial missions.
James Webb Telescope Detects Unidentified Infrared Signal on Titan and Pluto
The James Webb Space Telescope has recorded a mysterious infrared absorption feature on both Saturn's moon Titan and the dwarf planet Pluto, hinting at shared surface chemistry despite their contrasting environments
Viking 1's First Mars Surface Image Changed Planetary Exploration
NASA's Viking 1 lander transmitted the first direct image from the Martian surface in July 1976, revealing the planet's rocky terrain and marking a milestone in robotic planetary science
How NASA Langley Engineered the First Mars Landings
Fifty years after Viking 1 and 2 touched down on Mars, the engineering and mission design led by NASA's Langley Research Center remain central to how planetary landings are planned and executed across the solar system
Curiosity Rover Reveals Ancient Sandstorm Evidence on Mars
NASA's Curiosity rover has imaged Martian rocks shaped by a powerful ancient sandstorm, offering new insight into the Red Planet's dynamic past and the processes that once shaped its surface
Viking 1's Mars Life Experiments: What the Evidence Still Can't Prove
Fifty years after NASA's Viking 1 lander touched down on Mars, scientists remain divided over whether its life-detection experiments found evidence of Martian biology or were confounded by non-biological chemistry and instrument limitations
AI Struggles With Unknowns in Search for Extraterrestrial Life
A Michigan State University study using digital life simulations reveals that artificial intelligence can misclassify unfamiliar molecular patterns as signs of life, raising concerns for future missions seeking biosignatures beyond Earth
Hayabusa2's Risky Asteroid Flyby Yields Unprecedented Close-Up Data
Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft has captured detailed images and thermal data of the near-Earth asteroid Torifune after a high-speed flyby, following intense debate over the mission's safety and scientific value
SpaceX Starship Test Aborted as Defense and Science Missions Advance
SpaceX's Starship Flight 13 test launch was halted seconds before liftoff, highlighting ongoing technical challenges as the company expands its role in US military and scientific space operations
Asteroid Apophis to Make Exceptionally Close Approach in 2029
Researchers have mapped the 2029 flyby of asteroid Apophis, predicting that up to 90% of Earth's population could see the object with the naked eye as it passes closer than many satellites, offering a rare opportunity for direct observation
Glaciers Observed Flowing Down the Himalayas from Space
A NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station captured detailed images of glaciers moving across the Himalayas, providing a rare perspective on the scale and dynamics of these ice flows as they descend toward the Tibetan Plateau
Perseverance Rover Images Ancient Martian Bedrock at Jezero Crater Rim
NASA's Perseverance rover has captured a detailed view of the Jezero Crater rim on Mars, revealing a thick sequence of ancient rocks. The Mastcam-Z instrument recorded the scene, offering new evidence about the planet's impact history and surface evolution
Curiosity Rover Images Unusual Honeycomb Patterns on Martian Surface
NASA's Curiosity rover has captured detailed images of a honeycomb-like texture on Mars, revealing polygonal surface patterns and scattered dark rocks. Scientists are investigating the origin of these features using in situ rover observations and orbital data
Part 3 of 3