We often hear the term “habitable” next to the word exoplanets. Which exoplanets are habitable; that is, which are capable of supporting life? But how do scientists determine that? Are there different kinds of habitability? Rice University announced on September 17, 2018 that – to …
Plate tectonics have long been thought to have been necessary for the development of life on Earth, in part due to making it easier for volcanoes to release essential gases into the atmosphere. But now, new research suggests that may not be the case after …
Thousands of exoplanets are now being discovered – there are 3,815 confirmed as of August 1, 2018 – but how many of them have the right conditions to life? The data so far shows that the most common planets are super-Earths (larger than Earth but …
Read MoreScientists identify best exoplanets for Earth-like life
Could there have been life on the Moon in the distant past? Our airless, mostly dry moon certainly isn’t the first place that comes to mind when it comes to searching for life elsewhere. Today, its radiation-blasted surface is inhospitable to life as we know …
As more and more exoplanets are discovered, the technology used to help find them keeps advancing as well. This is especially true when it comes to smaller – and potentially habitable – planets, like Earth. The National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) Astrobiology Center in …
We sometimes hear the term Earth-like in describing exoplanets that might be similar to our own world. The terms “Earth-like” or Earth analog conjure up visions of alien oceans and continents, teeming with life. But how similar to Earth might such distant worlds really be? …
Read MoreThese 2 exoplanets might have seasons and stable climates
For decades, Jupiter’s moon Europa has fascinated scientists and the public alike after it was learned that a global water ocean lies beneath the icy crust. Could there be life on this small world? Now, new results from old data, presented today in a NASA …
Read MoreNew evidence for water vapour plumes on Europa discovered in old Galileo mission data