astrobiology

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has identified key chemical ingredients for life around two young protostars, hinting at the processes that may lead to habitable worlds. Credit: SciTechDaily.comAstronomers identified icy compounds made of complex organic molecules like alcohol and likely acetic acid, using Webb’s MIRI instrument, which was managed through launch by JPL.What do margaritas, vinegar, and ant stings have in common? They contain chemical ingredients that NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has identified…

Researchers from Tohoku University propose that organic materials on Mars might have originated from atmospheric formaldehyde, suggesting the planet’s early atmosphere could support the formation of life-essential biomolecules. Credit: SciTechDaily.comNew findings indicate Mars’ ancient atmosphere, rich in formaldehyde, could have supported the creation of organic materials essential for life, shedding light on the planet’s potential for past habitability.Organic materials discovered on Mars may have originated from…

Researchers led by Johns Hopkins University have debunked claims that sound waves from a 2014 meteor fireball were responsible for vibrations near Papua New Guinea, revealing the actual cause to be a truck. This discovery casts doubt on the supposed recovery of “alien materials” from the ocean floor related to the meteor, with further analysis showing the materials to be ordinary meteorites or terrestrial contaminants.Sound waves thought to be from a 2014 meteor fireball north of Papua New Guinea were almost certainly…

This view of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa was captured by the JunoCam imager aboard NASA’s Juno spacecraft during the mission’s close flyby on September 29, 2022. The agency’s Europa Clipper spacecraft will explore the moon when it reaches orbit around Jupiter in 2030. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS, Kevin M. Gill CC BY 3.0The ice-covered Jovian moon generates 1,000 tons of oxygen every 24 hours – enough to keep a million humans breathing for a day.Scientists with NASA’s Juno mission to Jupiter have calculated the rate…

Advanced telescopes are poised to revolutionize the search for extraterrestrial life by studying the atmospheres of exoplanets. Recent research shows their ability to detect key biosignatures, with a focus on direct imaging techniques and the comparative analysis of space and ground-based telescopes. Credit: SciTechDaily.comHigh-tech telescopes search for chemicals necessary for life on Earth.The next generation of advanced telescopes could sharpen the hunt for potential extraterrestrial life by closely scrutinizing the…

Recent research on Ryugu asteroid samples shows cometary organic matter was transported to Earth’s vicinity, offering insights into how life’s building blocks might have been delivered from space. (Artist’s concept). Credit: SciTechDaily.comRyugu, a near-Earth asteroid, captured widespread interest following the Japanese Hayabusa2 mission’s successful collection and return of samples to Earth. The retrieved samples have been a rich source of information about the solar system, shedding light on the potential contribution…

This poster shows a flattened (Mercator) projection of the Huygens probe’s view of Saturn’s moon Titan from 10 kilometers altitude. The images that make up this view were taken on Jan. 14, 2005, with the descent imager/spectral radiometer onboard the European Space Agency’s Huygens probe. The Huygens probe was delivered to Titan by the Cassini spacecraft, managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Credit: ESA/NASA/JPL/University of ArizonaAstrobiologist finds Titan may not have enough amino acids…

A recent SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) effort focused on a famous supernova from 1987, working under the premise that aliens might use such events to draw attention to themselves with synchronized beacons. Although this hunt came up short, it lays the groundwork for future searches using the same innovative strategy.Nvidia’s Almost Worth 2 Trillion. Is It a Bubble, or Is It Just Getting Started?This principle, called the SETI Ellipsoid strategy, offers a potential solution to a challenging problem: How…

New research shows that life can thrive in much saltier conditions than known before, expanding the potential habitats for life in our solar system and providing crucial insights into the effects of salinity on Earth’s aquatic life. Credit: SciTechDaily.comNew Research on Microbes Expands the Known Limits for LifeA new study on microbes in extremely salty water suggests life may survive conditions previously thought to be uninhabitable. The research widens the possibilities for where life may be found throughout our solar…

New research redefines the Habitable Zone of exoplanets by considering subglacial liquid water, extending potentially habitable conditions beyond traditional boundaries. Supported by recent JWST observations, this study broadens the scope for finding life on exoplanets, especially those orbiting M-dwarf stars.Professor Amri Wandel from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has introduced groundbreaking research with the potential to transform our understanding of habitable exoplanets. His latest study, published in the…