Nov 29Member-onlyDiverse Communities of Microbes Found in Yucatán’s Underwater CavesA research team from Northwestern University, alongside a team of professional underwater cave divers, just created the most complete map of the diverse microbial communities found in a lengthy submerged aquifer system in the Yucatán Peninsula. …Environment4 min readEnvironment4 min read
Nov 15Member-onlyLucy Probe Finds First Ever Contact Binary Orbiting Another AsteroidNASA’s Lucy probe performed its first flyby of an asteroid earlier this month and made an unexpected discovery when images came back showing not one, not two, but three asteroids. Two of the asteroids appear to be in a contact binary and are orbiting the largest asteroid in the group. What is NASA’s Lucy Probe? …Space3 min readSpace3 min read
Nov 13Member-onlyEarth’s Mantle May Contain Evidence of a Planetary Collision that Formed Our MoonResearchers at Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration published a new paper in that may provide answers for why there are two continent-sized “blobs” hidden within the Earth’s mantle. The new research suggests the blobs, which were first discovered in the 1980s, may be remnants of a…Astronomy5 min readAstronomy5 min read
Nov 8Member-onlyNew Space Telescope Releases Its First ImagesThe European Space Agency’s latest space telescope, orbiting near the James Webb Space Telescope, just released its first full-color images. One image in particular has already been described as a “revolution for astronomy.” Named after the Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria, who is considered the “father of geometry,” Euclid was…Space7 min readSpace7 min read
Nov 6Member-onlyWhat is Glacial Retreat?Glaciers are large accumulations of snow and ice that play a critical role in shaping landscapes as they creep down slopes, carving wide valleys along the way. Glaciers also play an important role in other Earth processes, including providing a protective cover over the surface and oceans by reflecting light…Climate Change4 min readClimate Change4 min read
Nov 3Member-onlyHow Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring Gets its Unique ColorsYellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. It is also one of the most photographed features of the park, for good reason. The gigantic, deep pool attracts so many visitors that Yellowstone is one of the most…Geology4 min readGeology4 min read
Oct 30Member-onlyAstronomers Detect Carbon on Europa’s Surface Using Webb TelescopeJupiter’s moon Europa, a water world containing a massive saltwater ocean, is one of the most likely places to contain life outside of Earth in our solar system. Recently, research published in two independent studies has found carbon dioxide on its icy surface using the James Webb Space Telescope (1)(2). …Astronomy4 min readAstronomy4 min read
Oct 25Member-onlyHow is a Hypernova Different than a Supernova?A supernova is one of the most spectacular events that take place in the Universe. These energetic, colorful, and bright explosions and their remnants are spectacular to study. There are over 300 known supernova remnants as of now. Supernovae are important events that heat interstellar gas and can trigger new…Astronomy6 min readAstronomy6 min read
Oct 22Member-onlyWhat is the Rock Cycle?Whether you find them beautiful or boring, rocks are an important part of the planet we live on. Rocks are not only responsible for forming the ground we stand on, but they are also an important part of many of the things we use on a day-to-day basis. This includes…Geology4 min readGeology4 min read
Oct 18Member-onlyWhat are Sunspots?If you’ve ever had the privilege of looking at the Sun through a solar telescope or have seen a picture of the Sun taken by a space telescope, you have probably noticed the dark splotches on its surface. What are these dark blots, and what can they tell us about…Astronomy5 min readAstronomy5 min read
