Earth may have once had a ring like Saturn – and it caused chaos

Saturn’s rings are iconic, but new evidence suggests Earth might once have sported one of its own. This ring would have caused chaos on the surface.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: Earth, Saturn, Planet, Asteroid, Geology, Impact, Meteorit… Continue reading Earth may have once had a ring like Saturn – and it caused chaos

Nearby asteroid’s birthplace traced to specific crater on the Moon

Many asteroids can be traced back to their parent body – the planet or moon they broke off from. But for the first time, scientists now claim to have traced the origins of an asteroid back to the specific crater it was birthed from.Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading Nearby asteroid’s birthplace traced to specific crater on the Moon

A supernova went off right next to the young Sun – how did it survive?

Meteorites can act as time capsules, preserving molecules from the solar system’s infancy. Certain fingerprints have been detected in these ancient space rocks that suggest a supernova went off right near our neighborhood – but that should have blasted… Continue reading A supernova went off right next to the young Sun – how did it survive?

Scientists ask meteorite hunters to stop using magnets to test finds

Scientists are asking meteorite hunters to refrain from using magnets to test the authenticity of their finds because this can destroy the specimen’s magnetic memory, erasing valuable information about the nature of the solar system.Continue ReadingCat… Continue reading Scientists ask meteorite hunters to stop using magnets to test finds

Sky Canvas satellites shoot for on demand “artificial meteor showers”

Meteor showers are among the most beautiful astronomical phenomena we can experience, but they can be fickle. Now a Japanese company is planning to put on artificial shooting star shows on demand with the Sky Canvas project. And there might be some sci… Continue reading Sky Canvas satellites shoot for on demand “artificial meteor showers”

Mysterious meteorite may unravel our understanding of the solar system

Meteorites burn up in Earth’s atmosphere on a regular basis, but a space rock that landed in Canada last year threatens to shake up our entire understanding of the solar system. Scientists traced its origins back to a distant cloud of comets that wasn’… Continue reading Mysterious meteorite may unravel our understanding of the solar system

Marsquakes reveal new impact crater forming and modern magma

As it slowly dies, NASA’s InSight Mars lander has made two major new discoveries recently. By sensing seismic activity from the Red Planet, the craft has now detected a large meteorite impact, and found evidence of magma pools and volcanic activity sti… Continue reading Marsquakes reveal new impact crater forming and modern magma

“Cosmic magnet” recreated in lab as alternative to rare earths

Rare earth elements are a key part of electronic and mechanical devices, but they’re in short supply. Now, scientists have found a way to recreate a promising alternative – a “cosmic magnet” that normally takes millions of years to form in meteorites c… Continue reading “Cosmic magnet” recreated in lab as alternative to rare earths

Mysterious folded diamonds traced back to ancient dwarf planet cataclysm

Australian scientists have discovered strangely folded diamonds in rare meteorite samples. In investigating how they came to form, the team found evidence that they were forged in a cataclysm on an ancient dwarf planet.Continue ReadingCategory: Materia… Continue reading Mysterious folded diamonds traced back to ancient dwarf planet cataclysm