“Recent” volcanic eruption on Mars boosts subsurface life hypothesis

While there’s evidence of volcanic activity in Mars’ ancient past, it was presumed to have been quiet for millions of years. But now, orbiters have spotted a large volcanic deposit that appears to be relatively fresh – only about 53,000 years old – whi… Continue reading “Recent” volcanic eruption on Mars boosts subsurface life hypothesis

Microbes may inhabit subsurface modern Mars, says geochemical study

One of the main goals of NASA’s Perseverance rover is to scour the surface of Mars for signs of ancient microbial life. But a new study of the geochemistry of the Red Planet suggests that life could still be thriving below its surface today.Continue Re… Continue reading Microbes may inhabit subsurface modern Mars, says geochemical study

Enceladus’ global subsurface ocean could host salt-driven currents

Scientists have predicted the presence and movement of ocean currents in the vast subsurface ocean of the Saturnian moon Enceladus. The moon, which is sheathed in a 20 km (12.4 mile)-thick shell of ice, is one of the most promising prospects in the ong… Continue reading Enceladus’ global subsurface ocean could host salt-driven currents

Life on Earth may have arisen from a quintillion lightning strikes

The exact recipe for how life got started on Earth – and whether it’s appeared on other planets too – are some of the most profound mysteries of science. Now, scientists have found that lightning strikes could have contributed a key ingredient, which s… Continue reading Life on Earth may have arisen from a quintillion lightning strikes

Biosignature on Venus likely to be mistake, says new study

Back in September last year, astronomers made a splash when they announced the discovery of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus, which could be a sign of life. But a new study has found that a different gas could explain the signature detected, and th… Continue reading Biosignature on Venus likely to be mistake, says new study

COVID-19 pandemic triggers largest drop in US life expectancy in decades

A new study from researchers at Princeton University and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, projects the COVID-19 pandemic to potentially generate the largest single-year decline in US life expectancy since the 1918 influenza pandemic…. Continue reading COVID-19 pandemic triggers largest drop in US life expectancy in decades

Study calculates how lucky we are to have a habitable planet

New research involving the simulation of 100,000 random worlds suggests that chance played a major role in allowing Earth to maintain a habitable environment for the three to four billion years needed for the evolution of complex life.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Study calculates how lucky we are to have a habitable planet

Missing ingredient for life finally found on a comet

Researchers have detected phosphorus on a comet – thereby completing the grocery list of elements that are essential for life. The discovery was made in data from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko by the Rosetta probe a few years ago, strengthening the i… Continue reading Missing ingredient for life finally found on a comet

Europa’s plumes may not originate from subsurface ocean

Jupiter’s moon Europa is a fascinating world, with a global subsurface ocean encased in an icy shell and plumes of water vapor that vent into space. A new study has simulated how these plumes might originate, revealing a surprisingly dynamic ice ball.C… Continue reading Europa’s plumes may not originate from subsurface ocean

Europa’s plumes may not originate from subsurface ocean

Jupiter’s moon Europa is a fascinating world, with a global subsurface ocean encased in an icy shell and plumes of water vapor that vent into space. A new study has simulated how these plumes might originate, revealing a surprisingly dynamic ice ball.C… Continue reading Europa’s plumes may not originate from subsurface ocean