Space and planetary science – Page 5
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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
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Research
Metallic trihydrogen oxide could explain ice giants’ strange magnetic fields
Compound stable under extreme conditions might be source of Uranus’ and Neptune’s enigmatic magnetosphere
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Opinion
The indomitable Toshiko Mayeda
Matthew Shindell traces one female scientist’s story from an internment camp to studying the chemistry of the solar system
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Research
Computer says no to membrane-bound life on Titan
Scientists quash inside–out cell membrane theory but don’t completely rule out possibility of life on cryogenic liquid hydrocarbon worlds
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Research
Crystals reveal the site of the world’s oldest meteorite strike
Mineral chemistry suggests the massive impact 2.3 billion years ago could have made our entire planet much warmer
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News
Queen’s speech reveals new research agency planned for UK
Government plans transformative research body based on US’s Arpa to deliver new technologies
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Research
Cryogenic properties could promote silkworm fibres into space exploration
Combination of intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms allows silks to retain both toughness and ductility at extremely low temperatures
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Research
Mineral never before seen in nature found inside Australian meteorite
Black-and-red rock that fell to Earth 68 years ago contains iron carbide compound
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Research
Moon may be millions of years older than previously calculated
Analysis of hafnium and tungsten in Apollo 17 samples suggests the moon formed 50 million years after the solar system
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Research
Corrections promise more accurate CO2 measurements from space
Improvements to cavity ring-down spectroscopy could also benefit quantum science
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Research
Silica aerogel could heat the surface of Mars enough to sustain life
Insulating material could replicate the effects of Earth’s atmosphere on the red planet, warming it by 50°C
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Feature
What is the moon made of?
Mike Sutton looks at what we’ve learned about the moon’s chemistry in the 50 years since Apollo 11
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Research
Impact of extra-terrestrial glycine delivery could have created nucleobase precursors
Quantum simulations show that comets and other celestial bodies may have not only delivered building blocks for life to Earth, but also synthesised them on impact
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Research
Caged gas blanket may explain why Pluto’s oceans are liquid
Ocean temperatures close to water’s freezing point may mean dwarf planet is hospitable to life
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Review
Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds
Jonelle Harvey takes us through Linda Geddes’ new book