From Lunar orbit, Earth is obviously habitable. But from a distant point in the galaxy, not so much.
A new study suggests that plate tectonics -- the dynamic processes that formed Earth's mountains, volcanoes and continents -- began about 3 billion years ago. By analyzing trace element ratios that correlate to magnesium content in ancient Earth's crust, the researchers provide first-order geochemical evidence for when plate tectonics first got underway.
NASA announced the creation of the Planetary Defense Coordination Office on Thursday. Pictured are orbits of near-Earth asteroids (blue) and potentially hazardous asteroids (orange).
Some want to scrap adjustment that keeps atomic time in sync with Earth
Five weeks of mapping at sea suggests two possible origins for the underwater Tamu Massif.
Nearly 13.7 billion years ago, the universe was made of only hydrogen, helium and traces of lithium — byproducts of the Big Bang. Some 300 million years later, the very first stars emerged, creating additional chemical elements throughout the universe. Since then, giant stellar explosions, or supernovas, have given rise to carbon, oxygen, iron and the rest of the 94 naturally occurring elements of the periodic table.
The geological record holds clues that throughout Earth
New research using a technique that measures the isotopes of lead and neodymium in lunar crustal rocks shows that the moon and Earth may be millions of years younger than originally thought.
On August 9, 2011 at 3:48 a.m. EDT, the sun emitted an Earth-directed X6.9 flare, as measured by the NOAA GOES satellite. This was the largest flare of
Italian researchers using data from the satellite PAMELA have proven that theories showing there ought to be a ring of antiprotons encircling the Earth due to cosmic rays colliding with nuclei in the upper atmosphere are correct. Piergiorgio Picozza from the University of Rome, Tor Vergata, and a host of colleagues have published the results of their findings in arXiv.
(AP) -- Like a poodle on a leash, a tiny asteroid runs ahead of Earth on the planet
(PhysOrg.com) -- In a new study, scientists have proposed that mini black holes may interact with matter very differently than previously thought. If the proposal is correct, it would mean that the time it would take for a mini black hole to swallow the Earth would be many orders of magnitude longer than the age of the Universe.
The Asteroid 2005 YU55, about 1,300 feet in diameter, will approach Earth within 0.85 lunar distances in early November 2011. Discovered on December 28,
A powerful solar flare has ushered in the largest space weather storm in at least four years and has already disrupted some ground communications on Earth.
The Sun has unleashed its strongest flare in four years, observers say.