Earth

Sulfur chemistry was vital for early anaerobic life in the Archean eon, over 2.5 billion years ago

By creating protocells in hot, alkaline seawater, a UCL-led research team has added to evidence that the origin of life could have been in deep-sea hydrothermal vents rather than shallow pools.

Earth-like planets may be common in the universe, a new UCLA study implies. The team of astrophysicists and geochemists presents new evidence that the Earth is not unique.

Comets screaming through the atmosphere of early Earth at tens of thousands of miles per hour likely contained measurable amounts of protein-forming amino acids. Upon impact, these amino acids self-assembled into significantly larger nitrogen-containing aromatic structures that are likely constituents of polymeric biomaterials.

How light reflected by vegetation, varying through time, is a strong biosignature.

Earth’s water may have originated from both asteroidal material and gas left over from the formation of the Sun, according to new research.

Tides acting in conjunction with life could influence the rotation of planets .

A purple-pigmented molecule could have been the first to turn sunlight into metabolic energy.

Geological constraints could have influenced the evolution of life.

Researchers have developed a new way to remotely measure Earth's magnetic field--by zapping a layer of sodium atoms floating 100 kilometres above the planet with lasers on the ground.