Habitable Planets
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White Dwarf Gobbles Up Nitrogen-Rich Ices of Pluto-Like World
Astronomers have observed a white dwarf, a highly compact stellar ember, that appears to have gobbled up an icy world akin to dwarf planet Pluto, a finding with implications regarding the likelihood of habitable planets beyond our solar system
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Not Like Venus Or Mars, Distant Exoplanet May Have Atmosphere Like Earth's
A distant exoplanet might have an atmosphere similar to Earth's, early observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggest. It is part of a group of planets orbiting a star called TRAPPIST-1, about 40 light-years away from Earth.
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James Webb Spots Bizarre Planet-Forming Disk Full of Carbon Dioxide
The James Webb Space Telescope has spotted a bizarre planet-forming disk dominated by carbon dioxide where water is almost absent. This rare finding, in star system XUE 10 within NGC 6357, challenges current models of planetary formation and may reshape our understanding of habitable worlds.
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NASA Telescope Detects Possible Signs Of Alien Life On Distant 'Water World'
Researchers using the Webb telescope found traces of two gases, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet 124 light-years away.
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A New 'Earth' Next Door? Scientists Detect Possible Habitable Planet Around Closest Sun-Like Star
Astronomers using JWST have detected a giant exoplanet in the habitable zone of Alpha Centauri A, our nearest Sun-like star.
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NASA’s Curiosity Rover Spots Ancient Coral-Like Rock on Mars
On July 24, 2025, NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover captured an image of a small, coral-shaped rock in Gale Crater using its ChemCam Remote Micro Imager. The light-colored, 1-inch (2.5 cm) formation likely formed billions of years ago when mineral-rich water seeped into tiny fractures in the rock, leaving behind hardened mineral veins after evaporation...
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NASA Missions Uncover a Diverse Galaxy of Super-Earths, Raising New Questions About Planetary Evolution
Super-Earths are among the most common planets in the galaxy, yet none exist in our solar system. Larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, they range from ocean-covered worlds to scorched, atmosphere-less rocks. Some orbit within habitable zones, making them prime candidates for life. NASA’s Kepler and TESS missions, along with upcoming telesc...
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Habitable Zone Explained: The ‘Goldilocks Zone’ Where Life-Friendly Planets May Exist
The habitable zone, or “Goldilocks zone”, is the region around a star where conditions allow liquid water to exist. Varying with star type, this zone is key in the search for life. Earth’s location in the Sun’s habitable zone has made life possible, and astronomers seek similar rocky exoplanets in other systems to explore the possibility of...
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James Webb Telescope Detects Potential Gas Giant Exoplanet Just 4 Light-Years Away
Astronomers using JWST have spotted a possible gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A, only 4 light-years away. If confirmed, it would be the closest exoplanet to a Sun-like star ever imaged. The discovery could challenge current models of planetary formation in binary systems and open new opportunities for studying nearby worlds.
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Scientists Explore Role of Space Radiation in Powering Alien Microbial Life
A new study proposes that life may exist far from sunlight in a “radiolytic habitable zone” deep beneath the icy surfaces of Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. Cosmic rays, which can penetrate rock and ice, break water molecules apart to release hydrogen, oxygen, and energy-rich electrons. These can fuel microbes in subsurface water, much like bacter...
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Exoplanet 35 Light-Years Away Offers Hope for Life Beyond Earth
The exoplanet has a minimum mass 2.8 times that of Earth and has been categorised as a super-Earth.
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What Sustainable Eating Looks Like When You Are Not Trying To Impress Instagram
Discover the everyday impact of mindful food choices with simple, practical tips for sustainable eating that benefit your health and the planet - no frills, just flavour and purpose.
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Oldest Rock On Earth Confirmed To Be Over 4 Billion Years Old
Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago, during the geological eon known as the Hadean. The name "Hadean" comes from the Greek god of the underworld, reflecting the extreme heat that likely characterized the planet at the time.
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James Webb Telescope Spots Planet Formation in Harshest Known Galactic Environments
The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that planets can form in extreme radiation zones. A protoplanetary disk called XUE 1, exposed to intense ultraviolet light, still shows signs of water and potential for rocky planet formation. The findings challenge old assumptions and broaden the possible regions where Earth-like planets may emerge.
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New Habitability Model Helps Identify Which Alien Planets Might Be Able to Host Life
A NASA-developed model now enables scientists to estimate the likelihood of life on distant planets or moons using limited and uncertain remote-sensing data. By comparing habitat conditions with known lifeforms or hypothetical organisms, the framework offers a probabilistic tool to assess alien environments and improve telescope targeting in the on...
-
White Dwarf Gobbles Up Nitrogen-Rich Ices of Pluto-Like World
Astronomers have observed a white dwarf, a highly compact stellar ember, that appears to have gobbled up an icy world akin to dwarf planet Pluto, a finding with implications regarding the likelihood of habitable planets beyond our solar system
-
Not Like Venus Or Mars, Distant Exoplanet May Have Atmosphere Like Earth's
A distant exoplanet might have an atmosphere similar to Earth's, early observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggest. It is part of a group of planets orbiting a star called TRAPPIST-1, about 40 light-years away from Earth.
-
James Webb Spots Bizarre Planet-Forming Disk Full of Carbon Dioxide
The James Webb Space Telescope has spotted a bizarre planet-forming disk dominated by carbon dioxide where water is almost absent. This rare finding, in star system XUE 10 within NGC 6357, challenges current models of planetary formation and may reshape our understanding of habitable worlds.
-
NASA Telescope Detects Possible Signs Of Alien Life On Distant 'Water World'
Researchers using the Webb telescope found traces of two gases, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet 124 light-years away.
-
A New 'Earth' Next Door? Scientists Detect Possible Habitable Planet Around Closest Sun-Like Star
Astronomers using JWST have detected a giant exoplanet in the habitable zone of Alpha Centauri A, our nearest Sun-like star.
-
NASA’s Curiosity Rover Spots Ancient Coral-Like Rock on Mars
On July 24, 2025, NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover captured an image of a small, coral-shaped rock in Gale Crater using its ChemCam Remote Micro Imager. The light-colored, 1-inch (2.5 cm) formation likely formed billions of years ago when mineral-rich water seeped into tiny fractures in the rock, leaving behind hardened mineral veins after evaporation...
-
NASA Missions Uncover a Diverse Galaxy of Super-Earths, Raising New Questions About Planetary Evolution
Super-Earths are among the most common planets in the galaxy, yet none exist in our solar system. Larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, they range from ocean-covered worlds to scorched, atmosphere-less rocks. Some orbit within habitable zones, making them prime candidates for life. NASA’s Kepler and TESS missions, along with upcoming telesc...
-
Habitable Zone Explained: The ‘Goldilocks Zone’ Where Life-Friendly Planets May Exist
The habitable zone, or “Goldilocks zone”, is the region around a star where conditions allow liquid water to exist. Varying with star type, this zone is key in the search for life. Earth’s location in the Sun’s habitable zone has made life possible, and astronomers seek similar rocky exoplanets in other systems to explore the possibility of...
-
James Webb Telescope Detects Potential Gas Giant Exoplanet Just 4 Light-Years Away
Astronomers using JWST have spotted a possible gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A, only 4 light-years away. If confirmed, it would be the closest exoplanet to a Sun-like star ever imaged. The discovery could challenge current models of planetary formation in binary systems and open new opportunities for studying nearby worlds.
-
Scientists Explore Role of Space Radiation in Powering Alien Microbial Life
A new study proposes that life may exist far from sunlight in a “radiolytic habitable zone” deep beneath the icy surfaces of Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. Cosmic rays, which can penetrate rock and ice, break water molecules apart to release hydrogen, oxygen, and energy-rich electrons. These can fuel microbes in subsurface water, much like bacter...
-
Exoplanet 35 Light-Years Away Offers Hope for Life Beyond Earth
The exoplanet has a minimum mass 2.8 times that of Earth and has been categorised as a super-Earth.
-
What Sustainable Eating Looks Like When You Are Not Trying To Impress Instagram
Discover the everyday impact of mindful food choices with simple, practical tips for sustainable eating that benefit your health and the planet - no frills, just flavour and purpose.
-
Oldest Rock On Earth Confirmed To Be Over 4 Billion Years Old
Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago, during the geological eon known as the Hadean. The name "Hadean" comes from the Greek god of the underworld, reflecting the extreme heat that likely characterized the planet at the time.
-
James Webb Telescope Spots Planet Formation in Harshest Known Galactic Environments
The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed that planets can form in extreme radiation zones. A protoplanetary disk called XUE 1, exposed to intense ultraviolet light, still shows signs of water and potential for rocky planet formation. The findings challenge old assumptions and broaden the possible regions where Earth-like planets may emerge.
-
New Habitability Model Helps Identify Which Alien Planets Might Be Able to Host Life
A NASA-developed model now enables scientists to estimate the likelihood of life on distant planets or moons using limited and uncertain remote-sensing data. By comparing habitat conditions with known lifeforms or hypothetical organisms, the framework offers a probabilistic tool to assess alien environments and improve telescope targeting in the on...
