Category: exobiology

Study casts doubt on the chances of life on watery alien planets

[ad_1] The most hostile environment even included bogus evidence in the form of biomorphs, or nano-sized silica grains that resemble small cells. There’s a concern that rovers landing on distant worlds might inadvertently fool researchers into believing the grains are proof of life. This doesn’t mean exobiologists should give up their hunt for life beyond […]

NASA confirms mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa

[ad_1] Researchers first presented their proposal to NASA in 2017, revealing a boxy lander that would study both the surface and what’s below. The team didn’t need confirmation of the mission to get started — there have already been tests for its data antenna. The moon is potentially the best candidate for life in the […]

Meteor impact may have started a ‘mega-tsunami’ on early Mars

[ad_1] There appears to be stronger evidence of a possible ocean on ancient Mars. A recent study indicates that the meteor that created the 75-mile Lomonosov crater may have produced a “mega-tsunami” that left its mark on the planet. Its rim is the same height as the estimated depth of the ocean and resembles marine […]

Curiosity rover finds gas levels on Mars hinting at possibility of life

[ad_1] Just what would produce the methane isn’t clear. It could represent recent or even current microbial life (possibly underground), but it could also geothermal reactions or ages-old methane finally escaping to the surface. The one certainty is that any gas will have appeared relatively recently — reactions with sunlight and chemicals would split the […]