|
|
| |
|
|
Titan's Dune Make-Over
|
| Topic: Titan |
01/20/13 |
| Summary:
New observations from Cassini are helping scientists understand physical processes like stream erosion and drifting sand dunes on the surface of Saturn's moon, Titan. |
|
|
|
|
Tracking the Great Oxidation Event
|
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
01/20/13 |
| Summary:
A new study shows that multicellular cyanobacteria arose much earlier than previously believed. Multicellularity developed in cyanobacteria at almost the same time as the oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere, and around one billion years earlier than eukaryotes. |
|
|
|
|
On Mars, a River Ran Through It
|
| Topic: Mars |
01/19/13 |
| Summary:
New Mars Express images show a region of Reull Vallis on Mars where a channel 7 kilometers wide that may have been carved by flowing water. |
|
|
|
|
Bubbling Organics in an Ocean Vent Simulator
|
| Topic: Origin & Evolution of Life |
01/19/13 |
| Summary:
Astrobiologists have built a series of glass tubes and valves with a laser and a detector system that mimics the conditions at hydrothermal vents. The system detects compounds coming from the simulated vent and will help determine if biologically important molecules are being formed. |
|
|
|
|
Did Ancient Ecosystems Work Like Modern Ones?
|
| Topic: Biosphere |
01/18/13 |
| Summary:
A new study is helping scientists understand whether or not the relationship between animals and lush vegetation was the same in ancient ecosystems as it is today. |
|
|
|
|
Trail of Minerals is Evidence for Mars Water
|
| Topic: Mars |
01/18/13 |
| Summary:
Curiosity has tracked a trail of minerals on Mars that indicates water was once present in Gale Crater on Mars. Curiosity's ChemCam instrument detected veins composed mainly of hydrated calcium sulfate, such as gypsum. On Earth, forming such features requires liquid water. |
|
|
|
|
|
Oxygen to the Core
|
| Topic: Earth |
01/16/13 |
| Summary:
A new study shows that Earth's core formed in the presence of more oxidizing conditions than previously thought. The study is helping scientists understand the distribution of planet-forming materials in the early Solar System. |
|
|
|
|
Curiosity Prepares to Drill
|
| Topic: Mars |
01/16/13 |
| Summary:
Curiosity is driving toward a flat rock with pale veins that may hold clues to a wet history on the Red Planet. In the coming days, the rock could become the first to be drilled for a sample during the Mars Science Laboratory mission. |
|
|
|
|
Salty Hiding Places for Life on Mars
|
| Topic: Mars |
01/15/13 |
| Summary:
Researchers have identified microorganisms that live inside salt deposits in the acidic and ferrous environment of the Tinto River in Huelva, Spain. The extreme conditions of these microniches appear to be similar to those of the salt deposits on Mars and Jupiter's moon, Europa. |
|
|
|
|
|
