Posts by 

Paul Scott Anderson

Speedy white dwarf planets are more likely to be habitable

Scientists thought that planets around white dwarf stars would be unhabitable. But a new study shows how some white dwarf planets could support life.

Our 1st 3D weather map from a distant exoplanet

Astronomers have created the 1st 3D weather map for an exoplanet 900 light-years away. This hot Jupiter has powerful winds!

A bold new theory of intelligent life and origin of humanity

Was the rise of humanity simply a matter of luck? A new theory says no, that we - and perhaps other intelligent life - are the probable outcome of evolution.

Earth’s ice caps are temporary and rare, study suggests

How and why did Earth's ice caps form? A new study suggests they are a rare event in the planet's history, the result of multiple coincidental cooling events.

Speediest exoplanet found near Milky Way center?

Astronomers have discovered what might be the speediest exoplanet system found so far. It moves at 1.2 million miles per hour (1.9 km per hour).

Signs of life on Enceladus might remain hidden in its ocean

If there is any life on Enceladus, traces of it might remain hidden in ocean layers that prevent it from reaching the surface, a new study suggests.

Are grooves on Uranus’ moon Ariel evidence for an ocean?

Deep trenches are the likely source of carbon on the surface of Uranus' moon Ariel and might be connected to a subsurface ocean, a new study suggests.

Possible smallest exoplanet found … and it orbits a pulsar

Astronomers in Europe said they have discovered what might be the smallest exoplanet found so far. If real, it is smaller than our moon and orbits a pulsar.

Asteroid Bennu reveals conditions for life, but with twist

Samples from asteroid Bennu brought back to Earth in 2023 contain molecular building blocks for life, evidence of ancient salty water, and something mysterious.

Using exploding white dwarfs to measure the universe

The Rubin Observatory will find millions of exploding white dwarfs, or Type Ia supernovae. Astronomers can use them to measure the universe and dark energy.