Earth JWST has detected a new exoplanet that is six times the diameter of Jupiter. editor1, August 5, 2024August 6, 2024 In a study published on July 24 in *Nature*, an international team of 19 scientists reported the discovery of a new supergiant exoplanet orbiting the star Eps Ind A. The planet, named Eps Ind Ab, was observed using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and has a mass at least… Continue Reading
Earth Sulfur was key to the first water on Earth editor1, August 5, 2024 The discovery suggests that rocky planets may have the potential to develop water relatively early in their history, which could increase the likelihood of conditions favorable for life. However, this doesn’t guarantee that all rocky planets will become wet or that life will necessarily arise. The presence of water is… Continue Reading
How tiny black holes might interact with the Sun, Earth, and living organisms editor1, August 4, 2024August 4, 2024 Dead Planets Society is a podcast that explores imaginative scenarios involving cosmic phenomena—such as splitting the Moon or triggering a gravitational wave catastrophe—and examines them through the lens of physics. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or through our podcast page. In the early universe, there might have been… Continue Reading
Earth Europe is preparing for the initial launch of the Ariane 6 rocket. editor1, August 4, 2024 HELSINKI — Europe is approaching a pivotal moment with the upcoming inaugural flight of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle on Tuesday. The Ariane 6 is scheduled to lift off from the Kourou launch site in French Guiana between 2:00–6:00 p.m. Eastern (1800–2200 UTC) on July 9. The European Space Agency… Continue Reading
Earth One of Saturn’s moons has features similar to freshwater rivers and salty oceans. editor1, August 2, 2024 The liquid hydrocarbon seas, lakes, and rivers on Titan have varying compositions, and there is evidence suggesting the presence of active tides or currents. Our most detailed observations of the lakes on Saturn’s moon Titan have uncovered a diverse landscape, with features resembling both freshwater rivers and salty oceans on… Continue Reading
Earth This mind-blowing map shows Earth’s position within the vast universe editor1, August 1, 2024 This story is part of our Cosmic Perspective series, where we explore the vastness of the universe and our position within it. You can find the entire series here. Subscribers can view a larger version of the map at the bottom of the page. This map illustrates the region of… Continue Reading
Earth Why you should feel comforted, not scared, by the vastness of space editor1, August 1, 2024 Some people find the vastness of the universe intimidating, but there’s also a way to find solace in it. This article is part of our Cosmic Perspective series, where we explore the immense scale of the cosmos and our place within it. You can read more in the series here…. Continue Reading
Biology How many moons and moonmoons could we cram into Earth’s orbit? editor1, July 20, 2024 Earth is lagging behind other worlds with its single moon, so on this episode of Dead Planets Society we are giving it more – and giving those moons moonmoons to orbit them Dead Planets Society is a podcast that takes outlandish ideas about how to tinker with the cosmos –… Continue Reading
Animals JWST spotted an incredible number of supernovae in the early universe editor1, July 20, 2024 Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have increased the number of known supernovae in the early universe by a factor of 10 and found the most distant one ever confirmed Many of the circled objects represent previously unknown supernovae NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, JADES Collaboration Astronomers using the James Webb… Continue Reading
Biology Saturn’s moon Titan is experiencing coastal erosion from methane seas editor1, July 20, 2024 Saturn’s moon Titan has coastlines matching ones on Earth that have been carved by waves, hinting that Titan’s hydrocarbon seas and lakes also has them The liquid hydrocarbon seas of Titan may have waves NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona/University of Idaho Craggy coastlines appear to have been carved out by waves around… Continue Reading