Samples of Asteroid Ryugu Show Signs of Ancient Water Nov. 21, 2023 The distribution of elements seen in the samples of Ryugu brought back by Hayabusa 2 hints at a wet past. Read more Image
The Behavior of Organics in Rapidly Frozen Brine Nov. 20, 2023 NASA-supported scientists have provided new information about the behavior of organic molecules frozen in brine under conditions similar to the surface of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Read more Image
How Microbes Could Aid the Search for Extraterrestrial Life Nov. 17, 2023 In the quest to address fundamental questions about the nature of the universe and the search for extraterrestrial life, space has been an important frontier for human exploration. Read more Image
Why Build Megastructures? Just Move Planets around to Make Habitable Worlds Nov. 16, 2023 The possibility of advanced civilizations building giant structures to harness the energy of their stars is time-honored, with examples going back to the early 20th century. Read more Image
Subglacial Water Could Extend the Classical Habitable Zone of Exoplanets Nov. 14, 2023 New research introduces the concept of subglacial liquid water as a pivotal element in broadening the boundaries of the conventional habitable zone. Read more Image
Smithsonian Opens First Public Display of Asteroid Bennu Sample Collected by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Mission Nov. 14, 2023 Samples from Bennu may provide insights into how water and organic molecules first reached Earth, a core research focus of the OSIRIS-REx mission. Read more Image
New Recipes for Origin of Life May Point Way to Distant, Inhabited Planets Nov. 13, 2023 Life on a faraway planet—if it's out there—might not look anything like life on Earth. But there are only so many chemical ingredients in the universe's pantry, and only so many ways to mix them. Read more Image
Enceladus Has All the Raw Materials for Life, Researchers Say Nov. 9, 2023 New research based on Cassini data strengthens the idea that Enceladus has the chemicals necessary for life. Read more Image
Estimating the Transmission of Information at a Global Scale Nov. 8, 2023 NASA-supported researchers have attempted to quantify the rate at which information is transmitted on Earth, both within the planet’s biosphere (all life on Earth) and the technosphere (human technology). Read more Image