Pluto’s atmosphere is cold and hazy. Recent observations have shown it to be much colder than predicted theoretically, suggesting an unknown cooling mechanism. Atmospheric gas molecules, particularly water vapour, have been proposed as a coolant; however, because Pluto’s thermal structure is expected to be in radiative–conductive equilibrium, the required water …
Researchers say discovery of stains from summertime flows down cliffs and crater walls increases chance of finding life on red planet Liquid water runs down canyons and crater walls over the summer months on Mars, according to researchers who say the discovery raises the chances of being home to some …
In the quest for planetary exploration, Mars holds a special position in view of the many similarities it has with Earth. This article highlights the significant aspects of the concept design and planning which paved the way for the successful Indian Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). Lessons learnt from historical failures …
Aurorae are detected from all the magnetized planets in our Solar System, including Earth. They are powered by magnetospheric current systems that lead to the precipitation of energetic electrons into the high-latitude regions of the upper atmosphere. In the case of the gas-giant planets, these aurorae include highly polarized radio …
Using four years’ worth of data from the Kepler space telescope, researchers announce the new exoplanet along with 12 possible ‘habitable’ others Scientists on the hunt for extraterrestrial life have discovered “the closest twin to Earth” outside the solar system, Nasa announced on Thursday. Working off four years’ worth of …
Four small moons—Styx, Nix, Kerberos and Hydra—follow near-circular, near-equatorial orbits around the central ‘binary planet’ comprising Pluto and its large moon, Charon. New observational details of the system have emerged following the discoveries of Kerberos and Styx. Here we report that Styx, Nix and Hydra are tied together by a …
Previous work on possible surface reflectance biosignatures for Earth-like planets has typically focused on analogues to spectral features produced by photosynthetic organisms on Earth, such as the vegetation red edge. Although oxygenic photosynthesis, facilitated by pigments evolved to capture photons, is the dominant metabolism on our planet, pigmentation has evolved …
We show that terrestrial planets in the habitable zones of M dwarfs older than *1 Gyr could have been in runaway greenhouses for several hundred million years following their formation due to the star’s extended premain sequence phase, provided they form with abundant surface water. Such prolonged runaway greenhouses can …
A NASA spacecraft that aims to study the upper atmosphere of Mars and reveal how its climate changed over time is poised to begin orbiting the Red Planet. After a 10-month journey, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) probe is making its final approach to Mars and will begin …
India's maiden mission to Mars has "entered the Martian neighbourhood", its space agency says, 48 hours before its planned arrival in orbit. Launched last November, the spacecraft - known informally as Mangalyaan - will complete a 300-day journey to reach the orbit on Wednesday. If it succeeds, India will become …
We are very concerned with the changing climate on Earth. The climate on other planets is more difficult to study, and direct observations are impossible, save some observations from the Mars rovers. Jupiter has an atmosphere that is very different from Earth's. The prominent Giant Red Spot, a swirling anti-cyclonic …
The year ahead is critical from the point of view on environment and development. Click on this interactive for the top 14 developments you need to keep track of in 2014.
India’s first mission to Mars has successfully blasted off on its 300-day journey to the red planet. The Mars Orbiter Mission, or Mangalyaan, launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on 5 November. It is scheduled to start circling the planet and taking data in September 2014. Original …
11.40 am: Second Stage (PS2) Propellant filling operations completed. 11.54am: All vehicle systems have switched on for the countdown starting at 6:08 hours (IST). India's space ambition will make another giant leap at 2.38pm on Tuesday - mangalvaar, the day of planet Mars. The country's first mission to the red …
Mumbai: Communications between ground stations and Nasa spacecraft at Mars will be affected in April because of the position of the planets, an announcement from the space agency said on Thursday. TOI has learnt that this will happen from April 4. This is happening at a time when Curiosity has …
Ridges In Craters Could Be Ideal Places To Search For Evidence Of Life, Says Study Washington: Narrow ridges found in Martian craters may actually be fossilized remnants of underground cracks through which water once flowed on the red planet, a new study claims. Water flowing beneath the surface of ancient …
Scientists using an intra-galactic speed gun have detected five new planets, relatively close to Earth, and one of them is orbiting a star’s habitable zone, where conditions are suitable for life. It would take only 12 years to reach the planets when travelling at the speed of light. Scientists analysing …
Scientists using an intra-galactic speed gun have detected five new planets, relatively close to Earth, and one of them is orbiting a star’s habitable zone, where conditions are suitable for life. It would take only 12 years to reach the planets when travelling at the speed of light. Scientists analysing …
NASA may have devoted many of its exploration resources to Mars recently, but the US space agency also has its eye on an icy moon of Jupiter that may be capable of supporting life. The agency is thinking about ways to investigate the possible habitability of Europa, Jupiter’s fourth-largest moon. …
Building on the success of Curiosity’s Red Planet landing, Nasa has announced plans for a robust multi-year Mars programme, including a new robotic science rover set to launch in 2020. The announcement comes a day after Nasa released the results of the first soil tested by the Curiosity rover, which …
Nasa plans to send a new rover to Mars in 2020 as it prepares for a manned mission to the Red Planet, said the US space agency. The announcement came yesterday a day after Nasa released the results of the first soil tested by the Curiosity rover, which found traces …
