Universe Today (Page 444)

Weekly Space Hangout: June 20, 2018: Dr. Jillian Scudder's Astroquizzical

By Fraser Cain - June 20, 2018 12:37 PM UTC | Site News

Could Cyanobacteria Help to Terraform Mars?

By Matthew Williams - June 19, 2018 11:46 PM UTC | Astrobiology

A team of international scientists recently conducted a study that indicates that cyanobacteria can conduct photosynthesis in low-light conditions, which has implications for plans to terraform Mars.

Astronomy Cast Ep. 496: Update on Stellar populations (I, II, & III)

By Susie Murph - June 18, 2018 03:44 PM UTC | Stars

Ceres Has Even More Organic Molecules on it Than Previously Thought

By Matthew Williams - June 17, 2018 01:36 PM UTC | Astrobiology

According to a new study from Brown University, it appears Ceres has more organic molecules on its surface than previously thought

A Meteoroid Smashed Into the Side of a Crater on Mars and Then Started a Landslide

By Matthew Williams - June 15, 2018 03:07 PM UTC | Planetary Science

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) recently captured an image of an impact crater on Mars that triggered an avalanche that left behind a dark streak.

The Black Hole Ultimate Solar System: a Supermassive Black Hole, 9 Stars and 550 Planets

By Matthew Williams - June 15, 2018 01:15 PM UTC | Black Holes

Physicist Dr. Sean Raymond recently created a hypothetical system where 550 planets and 9 Suns orbit around a central black hole, with fascinating results!

What's the Minimum Number of People you Should Send in a Generational Ship to Proxima Centauri?

By Matthew Williams - June 14, 2018 01:41 PM UTC | Space Exploration

In a series of new studies, a pair of French researchers tackle the question of how many people would need to be sent on an interstellar journey to ensure that a healthy crew arrives.

One Way to Find Aliens Would be to Search for Artificial Rings of Satellites: Clarke Belts

By Matthew Williams - June 13, 2018 07:34 PM UTC | Astrobiology

In a new study, astrophysicist Hector Socas-Navarro proposes searching for aliens by looking for signs of dense satellite rings around planets - aka. Clarke Belts.

What Comes After James Webb and WFIRST? Four Amazing Future Space Telescopes

By Fraser Cain - June 13, 2018 06:15 PM UTC | Telescopes

Weekly Space Hangout: June 13, 2018: Stella Kafka, Director of the AAVSO

By Fraser Cain - June 13, 2018 08:11 AM UTC | Site News

A Powerful Dust Storm Has Darkened the Skies Over Opportunity on Mars

By Matthew Williams - June 12, 2018 04:42 PM UTC | Planetary Science

A massive Martian dust storm has settled in over the Opportunity rover's location in the Perseverance Valley, which could pose a danger to this rover's continuing mission.

It Might Not be Planet 9 Causing Disruptions in the Kuiper Belt, Just the Collective Gravity of Everything Out There

By Matthew Williams - June 12, 2018 02:44 PM UTC | Planetary Science

According to a new study by a team from CU Boulder, Planet 9 may not be necessary to explain the odd behavior of objects in the Kuiper Belt

Astronomy Cast Ep. 495: Update on Asteroids & Prospects of Asteroid Mining

By Susie Murph - June 11, 2018 03:44 PM UTC | Planetary Science

Does Climate Change Explain Why We Don't See Any Aliens Out There?

By Matthew Williams - June 11, 2018 01:48 PM UTC | Astrobiology

Addressing the Fermi Paradox, a team of researchers recently conducted a study predicts whether or not Climate Change may be what determines the fate of civilizations.

Carnival of Space #565

By Susie Murph - June 11, 2018 12:50 PM UTC | Site News

There are Strange Objects Near the Center of the Galaxy. They Look Like Gas, but Behave Like Stars

By Matthew Williams - June 10, 2018 04:37 PM UTC | Milky Way

Using 12 years of data from the W.M. Keck Observatory, a team of astronomers discovered mystery objects near the center of the galaxy that could be "puffy" stars

And NASA's Big Announcement is: Ancient Organic Molecules Found on Mars!

By Matthew Williams - June 08, 2018 03:42 PM UTC | Astrobiology

In its latest discovery, the Curiosity rover detected organic molecules in an ancient deposit of sedimentary rock, bolstering the case that Mars may once have supported life.

Chandra Observatory Checks to Make Sure Alpha Centauri is Safe, You Know, in Case We Decide to Visit

By Matthew Williams - June 07, 2018 10:39 PM UTC | Exoplanets

Using over a decade of data collected by the Chandra X-ray observatory, a new study indicates that the Alpha Centauri system could be hospitable to life.

Breakthrough Starshot is Now Looking for the Companies to Build its Laser-Powered Solar Sails to Other Stars

By Matthew Williams - June 07, 2018 02:01 PM UTC | Space Exploration

Breakthrough Starshot, a project that hopes to send a small spacecraft to Proxima Centauri in our lifetimes, is now looking for contractors to build its laser sail.

Are There Enough Chemicals on Icy Worlds to Support Life?

By Matthew Williams - June 06, 2018 03:14 PM UTC | Astrobiology

A new study by researchers from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics indicates that the chemicals necessary for life as we know it might be limited on Europa and other "ocean worlds".