Habitability
NASA Promised More Smaller, Earth-size Exoplanets. TESS is Delivering.
When NASA launched TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) in 2018, it had a specific goal. While its predecessor, the Kepler…
Blankets of Silica Aerogel Could Make Parts of Mars Habitable
The idea of somehow terra-forming Mars to make it more habitable is a visionary, sci-fi dream. But though global terra-forming…
Saltwater Similar to the Earth’s Oceans has been Seen on Europa. Another Good Reason Why We Really Need to Visit This Place
Jupiter's moon Europa is an intriguing world. It's the smoothest body in the Solar System, and the sixth-largest moon in…
Theory proposes that Venus could have been habitable, but a large ocean slowed down its rotation, killing it
A new study supported by NASA has revealed that an ancient ocean on Venus might have been what slowed down…
Astronomers find Planet Vulcan – 40 Eridani A – Right Where Star Trek Predicted it.
One of the more interesting and rewarding aspects of astronomy and space exploration is seeing science fiction become science fact.…
With All These New Planets Found in the Habitable Zone, Maybe it’s Time to Fine Tune the Habitable Zone
According to a new study from the Earth-Life Science Institute, it may be time to fine-tune what astronomers mean by…
The Black Hole Ultimate Solar System: a Supermassive Black Hole, 9 Stars and 550 Planets
Physicist Dr. Sean Raymond recently created a hypothetical system where 550 planets and 9 Suns orbit around a central black…
Chandra Observatory Checks to Make Sure Alpha Centauri is Safe, You Know, in Case We Decide to Visit
Using over a decade of data collected by the Chandra X-ray observatory, a new study indicates that the Alpha Centauri…
Huge Sheets of Ice Found Hidden Just Beneath the Surface of Mars
A recent study based on data from multiple orbiters indicates that Mars has multiple sheets of subsurface ice, and they…
Water Worlds Don’t Stay Wet for Very Long
A new study led by Princeton University shows that water worlds are likely to be stripped of their atmospheres (and…