Posts by 

Paul Scott Anderson

This moss survived in space for 9 months

In an experiment on the outside of the International Space Station, a species of moss survived in space for 9 months. And it could have lasted much longer.

There might be an ocean on exoplanet TOI-270 d

Is there an ocean on exoplanet TOI-270 d? A new study said this sub-Neptune exoplanet might be a water world with either a global or nightside ocean.

Did a lost moon of Mars create tides in an ancient lake?

Thin, repeating sedimentary layers examined by the Curiosity rover suggest that a big, lost moon of Mars created tides in the ancient lake of Gale crater.

Lightning on Mars? Electric sparks in dust devils confirmed

NASA's Perseverance rover has detected lightning on Mars 55 times. It heard the small electrical discharges with its microphone in dust storms and dust devils.

Before their big smashup, Theia and Earth were neighbors

A new study suggests that Theia and Earth were neighbors in the early solar system about 4.5 billion years ago. Then their epic collision destroyed young Theia.

OSIRIS-APEX mission to asteroid Apophis soars past Earth

NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu was a great success. Now, the spacecraft has been renamed OSIRIS-APEX and is heading to asteroid Apophis.

Are water-carved caves on Mars hiding alien life?

Researchers in China have discovered the 1st water-carved caves on Mars. Known as karst caves, they could provide a protective habitat for possible life.

Colorful life on exoplanets might be lurking in clouds

Researchers suggest searching for colorful life on exoplanets by looking for spectral features similar to ones in Earth's clouds caused by airborne microbes.

Was NASA’s ‘no life on Mars’ conclusion in the 70s wrong?

In the late 1970s, NASA declared 'no life on Mars' when the Viking landers failed to find organic molecules (but they did). So was that conclusion a mistake?

Dying old stars destroy their planets, new research shows

Astronomers have found new evidence that dying stars destroy their planets - with the closest planets at greatest risk - as the stars swell up into red giants.