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Hot Topic
Deep Space
Alien Life
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Tidal Habitable Zone
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| Topic: Alien Life |
06/17/09 |
| Astronomers searching for Earthlike planets often focus on the 'habitable zone' around stars – where the heat from the star is at the perfect level for liquid water to exist. New calculations indicate that planets close to their parent stars could experience tidal forces that limit the habitable zone and change the criteria habitable planets. |
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Eclipsing Earth
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| Topic: Alien Life |
06/16/09 |
| Astronomers have captured a snapshot of Earth's chemical fingerprint by viewing light reflected back to Earth from the moon during a lunar eclipse. The information could be used to help identify habitable planets beyond our solar system. |
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The Search for Life in the Universe
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| Topic: Alien Life |
06/01/09 |
| The Space Telescope Science Institute recently held "The Search for Life in the Universe" symposium. Researchers in disciplines ranging from astronomy to astrobiology spoke about studies and space missions directed toward the search for life beyond Earth. |
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Looking for the Light of Life
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| Topic: Alien Life |
05/28/09 |
| With hundreds of extrasolar planets now discovered, one pressing question is how to tell if life resides on any of this galactic real estate. Researchers have found that a possible biosignature could come from life's preference for molecules of a particular handedness. |
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Procurando pela Luz da Vida
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| Topic: Alien Life |
05/28/09 |
| Com centenas de planetas extra-solares recém descobertos, uma questão premente é como dizer se reside vida em alguma destas moradias galáticas. Pesquisadores descobriram que uma possível bio-assinatura poderia vir da quiralidade de moléculas preferível à vida. |
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Waving a Hand Across the Distance
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| Topic: Alien Life |
04/26/09 |
| Scientists have developed an instrument for detecting polarized light after it reflects off of chiral molecules. Living organisms contain many chiral molecules, and the new technology could be useful in searching for life beyond our planet. |
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Counting on Contact
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| Topic: Alien Life |
04/13/09 |
| At the most recent NASA Astrobiology Science Conference, a panel of scientists discussed different types of planets where we might find alien life. In the final segment of this series, the panelists express their hopes about discovering evidence for aliens in our galaxy. |
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Generations
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| Topic: Alien Life |
03/30/09 |
| At the most recent NASA Astrobiology Science Conference, a panel of scientists discussed different types of planets where we might find alien life. In part six of this series, the panelists answer audience questions about the origin and evolution of life elsewhere. |
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Confessions of an Alien Hunter
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| Topic: Alien Life |
03/23/09 |
| After five decades, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence has failed to find any alien signals. SETI researchers are still optimistic that we will one day find evidence for intelligent life somewhere in our galaxy. A new book by SETI scientist, Seth Shostak, reviews the history, the controversies and the reasons for continuing the search. |
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To See a Clear Day From Far Away
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| Topic: Alien Life |
03/22/09 |
| Astronomers are close to discovering Earth-sized planets in Earth-like orbits around distant stars – but the real question is, are they habitable? Do they have Earth-like atmospheres? Such questions may prove very difficult to answer. |
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