Space and planetary science – Page 4
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ResearchMethane mystery on Saturn’s moon rekindles search for life on other planets
Researchers struggle to explain suspicious amounts of methane on Enceladus while a new chapter opens in the debate around the source of Venus’s phosphine. Why is it so hard to decide what counts as a sign of life?
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CareersExploring the space economy
In the words of Jean-Luc Picard, ‘things are only impossible until they are not’
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OpinionEwine van Dishoeck: ‘Take a steep trajectory early in your career’
The pioneering astrochemist on art, gathering strength and taking the leap into a new discipline
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ResearchMolecular complexity index could help find proof of alien life
Is it microbes on Venus or just lifeless planetary processes? Discovery could help scientists identify life on other planets
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ResearchSurprise as nickel vapour is found in comet tails far too cold for metal sublimation
Discovery points to unusual organometallic chemistry going on in deep space
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ResearchMeteorites show modern Mars’ subsurface has ingredients to support life
Terrestrial chemistry that sustains microbial life deep underground appears to be occurring on the Red Planet too
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ResearchGeochemists uncover evidence of massive Antarctic meteorite explosion 430,000 years ago
Airburst event spread material across most of Antarctica
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ResearchExoplanet’s chemical fingerprint suggest a distant birthplace
Unexpectedly high levels of carbon on Osiris indicate an intriguing past
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ResearchA glimpse at alien volcanoes that spew metal
Hypothetical ferrovolcanoes explored with world’s only lava flow simulator
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ResearchDiscovery of aromatics in interstellar cloud shakes up astrochemistry
Two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules found in a cold, dark space suggests they are more widespread than was thought
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ResearchSuper-slippery 2D material could be ideal lubricant for planetary rovers
Metal carbide material is significantly better lubricant than oils
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NewsFirst detection of hydrogen chloride gas on Mars
Discovery by ExoMars Orbiter of a new chemical cycle driven by dust and seasonal changes
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FeatureThe hellish chemistry of Venus’ atmosphere
The potential presence of phosphine on Venus is only the latest twist in the strange chemistry of our planetary neighbour, finds Clare Sansom
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ResearchLong-gone planets’ metal composition preserved as pollution around the dead stars that consumed them
Lithium pollution around white dwarf stars offers glimpse at the metal abundances on ancient rocky bodies
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ResearchMission accomplished for scientist who set out to bring astrobiology to Portugal
Zita Martins discusses her work searching for molecules related to the origin of life
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ResearchIs there phosphine on Venus?
A software glitch and a new analysis of 50-year-old data are all helping to answer the question
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ResearchFirst definitive proof of water on the moon
Ice could be a resource for future lunar missions
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ResearchLiquid hydrogen rethink has astronomical implications
Machine learning simulates smooth transition between states, which could affect giant planets
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ResearchOptions expanded for origin of Earth’s water
Enstatite chondrite meteroites contain enough hydrogen to have supplied three to five times the total mass of water in Earth’s oceans