Mercury Could Have Glaciers Where Life Exists, Say NASA Scientists

2023-11-25 06:09 AM by Jessica Irvine

Mercury in color, from data collected by NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft. NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington Scientists studying Mercury have discovered evidence for the existence of glaciers in the planet’s polar regions and suggested they could sustain life. “This groundbreaking discovery of Mercurian glaciers extends our comprehension of the environmental parameters that …

‘Bouncing’ Comets Could Deliver Life’s Building Blocks To Earth And Alien Planets, Study Finds

2023-11-15 05:58 PM by Jessica Irvine

Topline “Bouncing” comets could have delivered the building blocks for life on Earth and may have seeded other planets with key ingredients as well, according to research published Wednesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society A, a finding that adds to our understanding of the potential origins of life that could help narrow down …

Organics Found On Jupiter’s Giant Ocean Moon Ganymede, Says NASA

2023-10-31 07:24 PM by Jessica Irvine

This enhanced image of the Jovian moon Ganymede was obtained by the JunoCam imager aboard NASA’s … [+] Juno spacecraft during the mission’s June 7, 2021, flyby of the icy moon on Juno’s 34th pass close to Jupiter. NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kalleheikki Kannisto © CC BY New data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft suggests that there are mineral salts …

Saturn’s ‘Ocean Moon’ Enceladus Reveals Crucial Element Essential for Life

2023-06-16 02:55 AM by Jessica Irvine

The recent discovery of phosphates on Enceladus marks a significant advancement in our understanding of the ocean worlds within our solar system.… [+] system’s ocean worlds. Image: Future Publishing via Getty Images Enceladus, a small moon, has become a focal point for astrobiologists in the search for extraterrestrial life within our solar system. A study …

Discovery: Essential Element for DNA Found on Saturn’s “Water Moon” Enceladus

2023-06-15 05:15 AM by Jessica Irvine

The discovery of phosphates at Enceladus signifies a significant advancement in our comprehension of the solar … [+] system’s ocean worlds. Future Publishing via Getty Images The diminutive moon of Enceladus is rapidly becoming the focal point for astrobiologists in search of signs of extraterrestrial life within our solar system. A research paper published today …