Space and planetary science – Page 5
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Research
Super-slippery 2D material could be ideal lubricant for planetary rovers
Metal carbide material is significantly better lubricant than oils
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News
First detection of hydrogen chloride gas on Mars
Discovery by ExoMars Orbiter of a new chemical cycle driven by dust and seasonal changes
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Feature
The hellish chemistry of Venus’ atmosphere
The potential presence of phosphine on Venus is only the latest twist in the strange chemistry of our planetary neighbour, finds Clare Sansom
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Research
Long-gone planets’ metal composition preserved as pollution around the dead stars that consumed them
Lithium pollution around white dwarf stars offers glimpse at the metal abundances on ancient rocky bodies
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Research
Mission accomplished for scientist who set out to bring astrobiology to Portugal
Zita Martins discusses her work searching for molecules related to the origin of life
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Research
Is there phosphine on Venus?
A software glitch and a new analysis of 50-year-old data are all helping to answer the question
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Research
First definitive proof of water on the moon
Ice could be a resource for future lunar missions
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Research
Liquid hydrogen rethink has astronomical implications
Machine learning simulates smooth transition between states, which could affect giant planets
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Research
Options expanded for origin of Earth’s water
Enstatite chondrite meteroites contain enough hydrogen to have supplied three to five times the total mass of water in Earth’s oceans
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News
Perseverance rover’s suite of chemical tools will search for signs of ancient life on Mars
Upgraded probe is better equipped to investigate the red planet
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Podcast
Hexasilabenzene
Brian Clegg discovers what a six-membered silicon ring can tell us about alien life
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Feature
Do asteroids hold the key to life on Earth?
A series of missions are set to reveal the hidden secrets of the asteroids. Nina Notman explores the science of space rocks
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Research
Yeast thriving in hydrogen hints at possibility of life on exoplanets
First demonstration of non-adapted microorganisms growing in 100% H2 shows that life could exist even under seemingly hostile conditions
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Research
Spectroscopy from space lets satellites spy out ocean plastic patches
The technique could show where and how floating plastic patches form, and raise awareness of plastic pollution in the oceans
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Research
Superconductivity discovered in extra-terrestrial objects for the first time
Material in meteorites is likely to have formed under intense conditions
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Research
Mystery of where early Earth’s life-fuelling phosphates came from may have been solved
Meteorites have been source of building blocks for primordial life
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Research
Iron rain every evening on ultra-hot giant exoplanet
Spectral data shows iron condensing on planet’s nightside