Natural satellite

Minimoons: The Key to Unlocking Secrets of the Early Solar System

Discover the secrets of the early solar system by studying Earth’s ‘minimoons’ or ‘quasi-moons’, which could provide valuable clues about the origins of our solar system. These tiny cosmic bodies, located near Earth’s orbit, may hold the key to understanding the conditions and composition of the early solar system, making them prime candidates for scientific exploration.

NASA’s Europa Clipper to Search for Extraterrestrial Life on Jupiter’s Moon

NASA is launching the Europa Clipper on a mission to study Jupiter’s moon Europa, one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life in the solar system. The mission will analyze the moon’s vast saltwater ocean and cracked ice surface to determine whether it could support life, marking a significant step in the search for life beyond Earth.

Study Reveals Titan’s Subsurface Ocean Likely Non-Habitable

A study led by Western astrobiologist Catherine Neish has revealed that the subsurface ocean of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn, is most likely a non-habitable environment, reducing the likelihood of finding life in the outer solar system. Neish expressed disappointment at the findings, emphasizing the importance of water as a solvent for life. The study, published in the journal Astrobiology, quantified the amount of organic molecules that could have been transferred from Titan’s organic-rich surface to its subsurface ocean, using data from impact cratering.

The Moon’s Golden Potential: A New Space Race Emerges

In the vast, silent expanse of the cosmos, the Moon casts a glow of untapped potential, heralding the dawn of an extraordinary gold rush. More than just the Earth’s satellite, it’s a treasure trove of rare resources, including the potentially…

NASA’s Juno spacecraft captures stunning new images of Jupiter’s moon Io

Astronomers and space enthusiasts have been treated to a stunning display of new images of Jupiter’s moon Io, captured by NASA’s Juno spacecraft during its recent flyby on December 30. The spacecraft, part of a mission to study Jupiter’s origins,…