RSS 2.0LPI Earth and Space Science Newsletter
Stars that Narrowly Avoided Exploding in a Supernova?
Researchers have discovered two white dwarfs with oxygen-rich atmospheres; these once-massive stars avoided the core collapse of a supernova.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/11/12/unusual-massive-white-dwarf-stars-have-oxygen-atmospheres/
LCROSS Shows Water on the Moon
Preliminary data from NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, indicates that water does exist in a permanently shadowed lunar crater! The discovery opens a new chapter in our understanding of the Moon.
Modified from http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/13nov_lcrossresults.htm?list812372
Asteroid Passed Near Earth
A previously undiscovered asteroid came within 14,000 km of Earth last week, and astronomers noticed it only 15 hours before closest approach.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/11/09/surprise-unknown-asteroid-buzzed-earth/
Stars With Planets Have Less Lithium
For decades, astronomers have known our Sun contains a low amount of lithium, compared to other solar-like stars. Scientists have now discovered that the majority of stars hosting planets possess less than 1% of the amount of lithium shown by other stars. This finding provides astronomers with a new tool in their search for stars with planetary systems.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/11/11/shedding-light-on-the-suns-lithium-mystery/
New Planets Detected
Astronomers have found 32 new planets outside our solar system, bringing the number of known exoplanets to 406. Included in this most recent batch are several low-mass planets, so-called "Super Earths" about the size of Neptune.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/10/19/harps-discovers-32-new-exoplanets/
Chemistry for Life Found on Distant Planet
Molecules of carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor have been detected in a second planet's atmosphere outside of our Solar System. The Jupiter-sized planet has a tight, 3.5-day orbit around a sun-like star. The planet is not habitable but it has the same chemistry that, if found around a rocky planet in the future, could indicate the presence of life.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/10/20/organic-molecules-detected-in-exoplanet-atmosphere/
Surprising Band of Energized Atoms at the Edge of Solar System
The Interstellar Boundary Explorer mission, which monitors how the solar wind interacts with the gas and dust throughout our solar system, has discovered an unexpected bright band or ribbon of surprisingly high-energy emissions at the edge of our solar system.
Modified from http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/15oct_ibex.htm?list812372
LCROSS Mission Impact Successful
Even without big explosions or bright plumes of ejecta, it appears LCROSS's impact on the Moon was a smashing success. Mission managers said the mission has garnered plenty of spectroscopic data, and that's where the real science can be found.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/10/09/moon-impact-data-and-images-from-lcross-first-glance/
New Supersized Ring Discovered Around Saturn
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has discovered an enormous diffuse infrared ring around Saturn.
Modified from http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/07oct_giantring.htm?list812372
Extreme Planet May have Rocky Weather
Rocky planet COROT-7b is so close to its star that the day side is hot enough to melt rock. A new study suggests that the weather may include a unique precipitation: pebbles falling into lakes of molten lava.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/10/01/rocky-world-corot-7b-rains-rocks/
Mars May Not Be Rusty
A common explanation for Mars' red color has been that the iron in its rocks has rusted. A new study shows that the red dust that covers Mars may be formed by ongoing grinding of surface rocks.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/09/21/why-is-mars-red-new-study-offers-surprises/#more-40836
Scientists See Frozen Water on Mars
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has detected frozen water revealed by meteorite impacts, just below the surface of mid-latitude of Mars.
Modified from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090924143506.htm
New Images from Renovated Hubble Space Telescope
Astronomers have declared the Hubble Space telescope a fully rejuvenated observatory with the release of spectacular new images and data.
Modified from http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/09sep_hubbleimages.htm?list812372
There's Water on the Moon
The Moon was believed to be extremely dry based on analysis of lunar samples from the Apollo and Luna programs. New results from the Moon Mineralogical Mapper found evidence of water molecules on the surface of the Moon.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/09/23/yes-theres-water-on-the-moon/
Andromeda Galaxy Gobbled Up Smaller Galaxies
The Andromeda Galaxy contains a trillion stars and is relatively nearby, compared to other galaxies. Recently astronomers observed wispy streams of stars on the outer fringes of Andromeda, and realized they were leftovers from a cannibalistic feeding frenzy of smaller galaxies it has absorbed.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/09/03/andromeda-galaxy-eating-the-neighborhood/
Star Formation Assumption Busted
For decades, astronomers have relied on the concept that groups of stars form with a consistent ratio of massive stars to lighter stars, and that this ratio is the same from galaxy to galaxy. This allowed astronomers to estimate the mass of a galaxy by only counting the bright, massive stars. Unfortunately, new research shows that this ratio of high-mass to low-mass newborn stars differs between galaxies.
Modified from http://www.csiro.au/news/Star-birth-myth-busted.html
Chandrayaan-1 Moon Mission Over
Ten months after it was launched, India's maiden moon mission, the Chandrayaan-1, came to an abrupt end August 29 after mission specialists lost communication with the spacecraft. It has provided large volume of data from sophisticated sensors such as terrain mapping camera, hyper-spectral imager and moon mineralogy mapper, meeting most of the scientific objectives of the mission.
Modified from http://www.timesnow.tv/ISROs-moon-mission-over/articleshow/4325977.cms
A Ringed Milky Way After Galaxy Collisions?
Astronomers have known for some time that dwarf galaxies are orbiting and will eventually merge with our Milky Way Galaxy. New research in galaxy evolve suggests that collisions with dwarf galactic neighbors won't tear apart the disk of the Milky Way. New computer simulations show that instead of destroying a galaxy, these collisions "puff up" a galactic disk, particularly around the edges, and produce structures called stellar rings.
Modified from http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/dmgalaxy.htm
The Great Mars Hoax
Have you heard that Mars is about to be spectacular or appear as large as the Full Moon? As one planetarium has stated, this is rubbish, and is part of the now-yearly battle with the Great Mars Hoax that started in 2003.
Modified from http://www.clarkplanetarium.com/blog/debunking-the-great-mars-hoax
Colliding Planets Far Away
Astronomers have found evidence of a high-speed collision between two burgeoning planets around a young star.
Modified from http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2009-119
Supergiant Star Shedding Bubbles of Gas
The sharpest ever views of the supergiant star Betelgeuse show that the star has a vast plume of gas almost as large as our Solar System and a gigantic bubble boiling on its surface. These clues help explain how massive stars shed gas at such a tremendous rate.
Modified from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729074525.htm
More Evidence of Ocean on Saturn's Moon
Scientists say ammonia detected in the jets from Enceladus' south pole provides the strongest evidence yet for the existence of liquid water beneath the surface.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/07/22/mystery-solved-new-clues-point-to-a-liquid-ocean-on-enceladus/
Something Ran Into Jupiter
An amateur astronomer spotted a new spot on Jupiter, and researchers have confirmed that something impacted Jupiter on July 19, leaving a dark smudge, upwelling particles, and a lot of heat.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/07/20/jupiter-impact-confirmed/
Photos of Apollo Lunar Modules on Moon
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, has returned its first imagery of the Apollo moon landing sites, showing the Apollo landers and their shadows on the Moon's surface.
Modified from http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lroimages/apollosites.html
New Technique Finds Furthest Supernova
Astronomers have found two of the farthest supernovae ever detected. The two cosmic blasts occurred 11 billion years ago. This new method may help astronomers study some of the very first supernovae, advancing our understanding of how galaxies form and change over time.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/07/08/new-technique-finds-farthest-supernovae/
Potential Habitable Environment on Mars
Mars' Phoenix Mission scientists say that Mars' arctic region may be a favorable environment for microbes. The soil chemistry and periods where thin films of liquid water form on the surface could make for a habitable setting.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/07/02/perchlorates-and-water-make-for-potential-habitable-environment-on-mars/
Lightning on Mars
The first direct evidence of lightning has been detected on Mars. Researchers from the University of Michigan found signs of electrical discharges during dust storms.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/06/18/lighning-detected-on-mars/
NASA Returns to the Moon
On June 18, 2009, an Atlas rocket boosted NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and its companion LCROSS impactor on their way to the Moon. These missions are leading NASA’s way back to the Moon, by
scouting for safe and compelling lunar landing sites, locating potential resources, and studying the the lunar radiation environment. They will also return detailed scientific data on the Moon’s topography and composition.
Modified from http://lro.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Mystery of the Missing Sunspots Solved?
Scientists have been puzzled by the lack of sunspots for more than two years. New research shows that it may be caused by the motions of a jet stream deep inside the Sun.
Modified from http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/17jun_jetstream.htm?list812372
Planet Found in Distant Andromeda Galaxy
Astronomers have used a technique called Pixel-lensing to discover a planet orbiting another star. There are hundreds of planets found around other stars so far, but this planet is unique--its home is the Andromeda Galaxy rather than our own Milky Way.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/06/10/first-extra-galactic-planet-may-have-been-detected/
Enormous Asteroid Impacts on Early Earth May Have Helped Life
Scientists have known for some time that planets and moons in the early Solar System were slammed by enormous asteroids, and have called the time around 3.9 to 3.7 billion years ago the "Late Heavy Bombardment." A new surprising study shows that the bombardment of Earth by asteroids as large as Kansas would not been enough to wipe out all potential early life, and that this event may even have given life a boost.
Modified from http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-05/uoca-aa3051909.php
New Evidence Supports Possible Liquid Water on Mars
Scientists are in disagreement over whether there was liquid water on the legs of the Phoenix Mission at Mars; new research suggests that stable liquid solutions of water and other salts may exist on Mars. This finding increases the possibility of finding some form of life on Mars.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/05/26/more-researchers-say-liquid-water-present-on-mars-now/
Space Shuttle Atlantis Launches on Final Mission to Hubble
The crew of the space shuttle Atlantis have successfully refurbished the Hubble Space Telescope.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/05/18/tremendous-adventure-gives-hubble-new-life/
Mercury Revealed as a Dynamic Planet
Analyses of data from the MESSENGER spacecraft’s second flyby of Mercury in October 2008 show that the planet’s atmosphere, magnetosphere, and geological past are all characterized by much greater levels of activity than scientists first suspected. About 40 percent of Mercury's surface is covered by smooth plains; much of Mercury's crust may have formed through repeated volcanic eruptions. Scientists continue to examine data from the first two flybys and are preparing to gather even more information from a third flyby of the planet on September 29, 2009.
Modified from http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/news_room/details.php?id=123
New Evidence: Brown Dwarfs Form from Collapsed Gas
Brown dwarfs are too small to be called stars and too large to be called planets. Typically, brown dwarfs have masses between 15 and 75 times that of Jupiter. More massive objects will develop nuclear fusion in their cores and be considered stars. As a result, brown dwarfs are sometimes called failed stars. Astronomers haven't been sure whether brown dwarfs form like stars, from the gravitational collapse of gas clouds, or if they form like planets, where rocky material comes together until it grows massive enough to draw in nearby gas.
Astronomers have now found evidence that brown dwarfs form more like stars. Using the Smithsonian's Submillimeter Array, astronomers detected molecules of carbon monoxide shooting outward from a brown dwarf. This type of molecular outflows typically is seen coming from young stars or protostars. However, this object has an estimated mass of 60 Jupiters-- a brown dwarf.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2008/12/03/brown-dwarfs-form-like-stars/
Milky Way Twice as Massive as Thought
The Milky Way is faster, heavier, and more likely to collide than we thought. Astronomers making high-precision measurements of the Milky Way say our Galaxy is rotating about 100,000 miles per hour faster than previously understood. That increase in speed increases the Milky Way's mass by 50 percent, bringing it even with the Andromeda Galaxy. Our solar system is about 28,000 light-years from the Milky Way’s center, moving at about 600,000 miles per hour in our Galactic orbit.
Modified from http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/press/2009/pr200903.html
Pure Water on Mars
Mars' north polar cap contains water ice "of a very high degree of purity," according to an international study. Using radar data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, researchers say the water is at 95 percent purity in the polar ice cap. The north polar cap is a dome of layered, icy materials, with mostly ice and a small amount of dust. Combined, the north and south polar ice caps are believed to hold two to three million cubic kilometers (0.47-0.72 million cu. miles) of water ice, roughly 100 times more than the total volume of North America's Great Lakes.
Mars southern polar cap was once thought to be carbon dioxide ice, but the Mars Express confirmed that it is composed of a mixture of water and carbon dioxide.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/01/20/lots-of-pure-water-ice-at-mars-north-pole/
Which Came First, Black Holes or Galaxies?
Astronomers have been trying to determine whether galaxies form first and then a black hole springs up in the center, or galaxies form around an already existing black hole. New evidence shows that the black holes form before the host galaxy, and somehow grow a galaxy around them.
Previous studies of galaxies and their central black holes in the nearby Universe revealed a connection between the masses of the black holes and of the central "bulges" of stars and gas in the galaxies. The bigger the galaxy bulge is, the more massive the black hole at the heart of that galaxy is. This ratio is nearly the same for a wide range of galactic sizes and ages. But astronomers have now measured this ratio in galaxies formed in the first billion years after the Big Bang. The black holes in these young galaxies are much more massive compared to the bulges than those seen in the nearby Universe, implying that the black holes started growing first.
Modified from http://www.universetoday.com/2009/01/07/which-comes-first-galaxy-or-black-hole/
Mars is Alive?
Mars is a world of cold deserts, apparently without life of any kind. Mars' atmosphere is so thin, any liquid water on the surface quickly boils away, while the Sun's ultraviolet radiation scorches the ground. But the recent detection of methane in the atmosphere of Mars indicates that Mars is still alive, in either a biologic or geologic sense. A team of scientists found methane in the atmosphere of Mars by carefully observing the planet over several Mars years using spectrometers attached to telescopes at NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility and the W. M. Keck telescope, both at Mauna Kea, Hawaii. According to the team, the plumes were seen over areas that show evidence of ancient ice or flowing water.
Methane is quickly destroyed in the Martian atmosphere, so the discovery by scientists of substantial plumes of methane indicates some process is releasing the gas. Methane is the main component of natural gas on Earth. Much of Earth's methane come from living organisms. However, life is not required to produce the gas. Other purely geological processes, like oxidation of iron, also release methane. Another possibility is vulcanism. It will take future missions, like NASA's Mars Science Laboratory, to discover the origin of the Martian methane.
Modified from http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/15jan_marsmethane.htm?list812372
