Exoplanets
Exoplanets and the Search for Life in the Universe: Q&A with author Lee Billings
As far as our understanding of life in the Universe goes, right now, we’re it. But the past decade has…
Baby Free-Floating Planet Found Alone, Away From A Star
The planetary world keeps getting stranger. Scientists have found free-floating planets -- drifting alone, away from stars -- before. But…
Detecting the Magnetic Fields of Exoplanets May Help Determine Habitability
Astronomers may soon be able to observe the shockwaves between the magnetic fields of exoplanets and the flow of particles…
‘Diamond’ Super-Earth’s Makeup Called Into Question In New Study
A precious planet? Don't think so fast, a new study says. The so-called "diamond super-Earth", 55 Cancri e, may actually…
Mercury’s Resonant Rotation ‘Should Be Common’ In Alien Planets
Three to two. That's the ratio of the time it takes Mercury to go around the sun (88 days) in…
First Cloudy Alien Planet Spotted From Earth
Call it cloudy with a low chance of meatballs. The alien world Kepler-7b -- a very reflective world in big…
Magnetic Fields are Crucial to Exomoon Habitability
Astronomers believe that hidden deep within the wealth of data collected by NASA’s Kepler mission are minuscule signatures confirming the…
How Spitzer’s Focus Changed To Strange New Worlds
After 10 years in space -- looking at so many galaxies and stars and other astronomy features -- the Spitzer…
Planet Evaporates Due to Stellar Flare
Solar flares – huge eruptions of charged particles from the Sun – present little threat to Earth. On a few…
How Do You Find The Signs of Life On Alien Planets?
One big challenge in astronomy is everything is so darn far away. This makes it hard to see the signs…