Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Understanding how genes evolve and potential habitability of Gamma Leporis AB

Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system Gamma Leporis AB? See article.
g Abodes - New research shows that the bow shock formed by the interactions between the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field is remarkably thin. See article.
g Life - By studying a virulent fungus, scientists have answered the question of why a single gene could come in different lengths in different individuals. It all comes down to “spliceosomal introns.” The study could have wider implications in understanding how genes evolve. See article.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Mars Science Laboratory and potential habitability of Wolf 718

Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system Wolf 718? See article.
g Abodes - Chemists may have solved a liquid mystery by showing how cold water can get before it absolutely must freeze: 55 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. See article.
g Cosmicus - The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) on its way and researchers are preparing for the data it's instruments will return from Mars. Among MSL's instruments is ChemCam, which will use lasers to remotely analyze the elemental composition of Mars's surface. ChemCam could help determine the potential for past or present life on Mars. See article.

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Topographic map of the Moon and potential habitability of 44 Draconis AB

Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system ? See article.
g Life - New research has narrowed down the date of the most severe mass extinction known to have occurred on Earth. Additionally, the study has determined the rate at which extinctions occurred. See article.
g Cosmicus - The highest resolution topographic map of the Moon has now been released. See article.

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Curiosity rover blasts off for Mars and potential habitability of Wolf 359

Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation.
Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system Wolf 359? See article.
g Abodes - Scientists know that the liquid outer core of the Earth consists mostly of iron, but the other elements present remain unknown. New research shows that oxygen is not present in the outer core. See article.
g Cosmicus - NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and its Curiosity rover have blasted off on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and is now heading to Mars. See article.

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Friday, November 25, 2011

New system for classifying exoplanets

New system for classifying exoplanets Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star Nu 2 Lupi? See article.
g Abodes - Although the number of exoplanets discovered is reaching the thousands, few are "Earth-like" in terms of their suitability for life as we know it. A team of scientists is now proposing a new system for classifying exoplanets to help identify planets that are theoretically conducive to life in less earthlike conditions. See article.
g Cosmicus - A new computer program may help track near Earth objects (NEOs) and compute more accurate orbits. Monitoring NEOs can help scientists determine whether or not they pose a risk to life's future on Earth. See article.

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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Potential habitability of nearby star Mu Arae

Potential habitability of nearby star Mu Arae Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star Mu Arae? See article.
g Abodes - New research shows that the occurrence of "sprites" in the Earth's atmosphere is not a phenomenon limited to our planet. These offshoots of electric discharges are caused by lightning storms. Studying lightning on other planets could help astrobiologists determine their potential to support life. See article.
g Cosmicus - Future astronauts spending Thanksgiving in space may not have to forgo one of the most traditional parts of the day's feast: fresh sweet potatoes. New methods for growing the plants could make them a viable space crop. See article.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Potential habitability of nearby star system 94 Aquarii ABC

Potential habitability of nearby star system 94 Aquarii ABC Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system 94 Aquarii ABC? See article.
g Abodes - New data from Cassini chronicles the birth and evolution of a colossal storm that ravaged the northern face of Saturn for nearly a year. See article.
g Cosmicus - The surface of Mars is an incredibly hostile place for life as we know it, but ancient Mars may have been habitable. Two new NASA missions will help astrobiologists determine what transformed Mars into the dry, desert world we're familiar with today. See article.

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Sandy surface of Mars more dynamic than previously thought

Sandy surface of Mars more dynamic than previously thought Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star HR 8323? See article.
g Abodes - New images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show that the sandy surface of Mars is more dynamic than previously thought. See article.
g Life - A cosmic one-two punch of colossal volcanic eruptions and meteorite strikes likely caused the mass-extinction that killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. See article.

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Monday, November 21, 2011

Evidence of giant, shallow lakes beneath surface of Europa

Evidence of giant, shallow lakes beneath surface of Europa Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - New observations from Hubble are helping astronomers understand how galaxies continuously recycle hydrogen gas and heavy elements. This process provides galaxies with the energy to continue star formation. See article.
g Abodes - Scientists have potentially found evidence of giant, shallow lakes beneath the surface of Europa. Data suggests that there is an exchange of materials between Europa's icy shell and the moon's subsurface ocean - bolstering arguments that Europa could support habitats for life. See article.
g Message - Book alert: The father-son team of David E. Fisher and Marshall Jon Fisher brings the study of extraterrestrial life down to earth in “Strangers in the Night: Brief History of Life on Other Worlds,” an informative and entertaining book. In the anecdotal style that is their hallmark, the Fishers trace humankind’s attempts to discover life on other worlds. This informative and entertaining book tells the story of humankind’s attempts throughout history to discover extraterrestrial life. See article.

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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Potential habitability of the nearby star 9 Puppis

Potential habitability of the nearby star 9 Puppis Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star 9 Puppis? See article.
g Abodes - Scientists have long wondered how the "airless" Moon is able to support an ionosphere. A new study suggests that the answer might lie in moondust. See article.
g Cosmicus - The first crew of humans to fly to space in the post Space Shuttle Era has docked at the International Space Station. See article.

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Saturday, November 19, 2011

Does liquid water exist on Pluto?

Does liquid water exist on Pluto? Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system 70 Virginis? See article.
g Abodes - NASA's New Horizon mission should be able to learn whether liquid water exists a hundred miles beneath Pluto's surface. See article.
g Cosmicus - Space weather can profoundly affect planet Earth. Solar flares are capable of disrupting satellites and coronal mass ejections might even damage power grids on Earth. But even at their worst, flares and mass ejections from the Sun are not capable of destroying Earth. See article.

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Friday, November 18, 2011

Potential habitability of nearby star 9 Ceti

Potential habitability of nearby star 9 Ceti Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system 9 Ceti? See article.
g Abodes - It is easier to visit Mars than the base of Earth's thin crust - but a new instrument is now helping scientists understand the unique matter that exist at extreme temperatures and pressures in our planet's core. The study will help astrobiologists better understand the properties of planets - from earthquakes to magnetic fields. See article.
g Cosmicus - A rare and beautiful meteorite has been discovered by a farmer in northwest Missouri. It is only the 20th meteorite of its kind found in the United States. See article.

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NOV 19 Does liquid water exist on Pluto? Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system 70 Virginis? See article.
g Abodes - NASA's New Horizon mission should be able to learn whether liquid water exists a hundred miles beneath Pluto's surface. See article.
g Cosmicus - Space weather can profoundly affect planet Earth. Solar flares are capable of disrupting satellites and coronal mass ejections might even damage power grids on Earth. But even at their worst, flares and mass ejections from the Sun are not capable of destroying Earth. See article.

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Potential habitability of nearby star system 44 Bootis ABC

Potential habitability of nearby star system 44 Bootis ABC Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system 44 Bootis ABC? See article.
g Abodes - New research shows that a major change in Earth's global climate 56 million years ago could have been caused by the release of massive amounts of carbon frozen under the seafloor. See article.
g Cosmicus - NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is in final preparations for launch. MSL will carry Curiosity, a rover with more scientific capability than any ever sent to another planet. See article.

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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Asteroid Lutetia is a leftover fragment of material that formed the Earth, Venus, Mercury

Asteroid Lutetia is a leftover fragment of material that formed the Earth, Venus, Mercury Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system Tau Cygni ABC? See article.
g Abodes - New observations indicate that the asteroid Lutetia is a leftover fragment of the same material that formed the Earth, Venus and Mercury. Studying Lutetia can help astrobiologists understand how these rocky planets formed and evolved in our solar system. See article.
g Cosmicus - A new theory may explain how magnetized rocks ended up on the Moon - even though the Moon has no global magnetic field today. See article.

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Giant planet may have been ejected from solar system

Giant planet may have been ejected from solar system Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system 16 Cygnis ABC? See article.
g Abodes - New research indicates that a giant planet may have been ejected from the solar system, sparing the Earth from disaster. See article.
g Cosmicus - Scientists working with the 230-foot-wide Deep Space Network antenna have generated a short movie clip of asteroid 2005 YU55. See article.

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Monday, November 14, 2011

Study suggests we’re not looking hard enough for ETI

Study suggests we’re not looking hard enough for ETI Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Life - Scientist have made a step toward understanding why photosynthesis - one of the most important biological processes on Earth - is more efficient in red algae than in plants. See article.
g Message - Probes like Pioneer and Voyager are heading out into the galaxy carrying plaques about humankind. Why have we never found similar evidence of other civilizations? A new mathematical study suggests that we may not be looking hard enough. See article.
g Cosmicus - After launching on a Zenit rocket, the Russian Phobos-Grunt Mars probe failed to leave Earth orbit. See article.

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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Possibilities for methane-based life

Possibilities for methane-based life Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system HIP 70319? See article.
g Abodes - In the search for life elsewhere, many studies focus on finding liquid water. But what if life could exist with some other solvent? Saturn´s smoggy moon Titan makes scientists question the possibilities for methane-based life in the galaxy. See article.
g Cosmicus - Names have been approved for three new elements, and they will now be added to the Periodic Table. See article.

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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Potential habitability of nearby star system 51 Sagittae AB

Potential habitability of nearby star system 51 Sagittae AB Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system 51 Sagittae AB? See article.
g Abodes - he New Horizons spacecraft remains healthy as it nears year six of its 9.5-year journey to the Pluto system. But when it arrives, will the spacecraft need to dodge Pluto's many moons? See article.
g Cosmicus - After 520 days in isolation, the hatch was opened on the Mars500 container as the crew completed their mock mission to Mars. The experiment has provided a wealth of information that will help in planning and preparing a human mission to Mars. See article.

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Friday, November 11, 2011

White House responds to petitions for ETI disclosure

White House responds to petitions for ETI disclosure Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star 70 Virginis? See article.
g Life - What is responsible for the extinction of large-bodied Ace Age mammals - climate change or humans? See article.
g Message - The White House has issued a statement in response to petitions asking the government to "disclose long withheld knowledge" of extraterrestrial beings. There is no evidence of life beyond our planet as of yet, but upcoming missions and research could help us determine if we are alone in the universe. See article.

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Potential habitability of nearby star system Pi Mensae

Potential habitability of nearby star system Pi Mensae Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system Pi Mensae? See article.
g Life - Astronomers have used light from a distant gamma-ray burst to investigate the composition of matter in very distant galaxies. See article.
g Cosmicus - New research shows that space flights lasting six months or more can cause challenges in astronauts' visual systems. Conditions like blurry vision persist long after astronauts return to Earth. See article.

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Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Biological dark matter of Earth

Biological dark matter of Earth Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star HD116956? See article.
g Life - New techniques are helping scientists shed light on the “biological dark matter” of Earth. See article.
g Message - Researchers suggest that alien civilizations could be detected by the city lights that illuminate the dark nights on distant worlds. See article.

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Monday, November 07, 2011

Massive network of recent gene exchange in bacteria from around the world

Massive network of recent gene exchange in bacteria from around the world Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Abodes - A new study suggests that if life ever existed on Mars, the longest lasting habitats were most likely below the Red Planet´s surface. The results come from a new interpretation of mineral-mapping data from European and NASA orbiters. See article.
g Life - Scientists have found evidence of a massive network of recent gene exchange in bacteria from around the world. The study illustrates the rapid speed with which genes can proliferate in bacteria, bypassing the time it would take for mutation to occur. See article.
g Cosmicus - Russia's first interplanetary mission in nearly two decades is being prepared for launch. The Phobos-Grunt mission will perform the first ever landing on Mars' small moon Phobos. If successful, the mission will collect samples from the moon and return them to Earth. See article.

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Massive network of recent gene exchange in bacteria from around the world

Massive network of recent gene exchange in bacteria from around the world Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Abodes - A new study suggests that if life ever existed on Mars, the longest lasting habitats were most likely below the Red Planet´s surface. The results come from a new interpretation of mineral-mapping data from European and NASA orbiters. See article.
g Life - Scientists have found evidence of a massive network of recent gene exchange in bacteria from around the world. The study illustrates the rapid speed with which genes can proliferate in bacteria, bypassing the time it would take for mutation to occur. See article.
g Cosmicus - Russia's first interplanetary mission in nearly two decades is being prepared for launch. The Phobos-Grunt mission will perform the first ever landing on Mars' small moon Phobos. If successful, the mission will collect samples from the moon and return them to Earth. See article.

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Sunday, November 06, 2011

Icy dust could be precursor to molecule for life's building blocks

Icy dust could be precursor to molecule for life's building blocks Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system BD-05 3853 AB? See article.
g Abodes - If Mars ever had oceans, lakes or rivers, then it may also have had life as we know it. Indications of liquid water on the Red Planet have tantalized scientists for well over a century. See article.
g Life - New research is shedding light on the chemistry that occurs in the dark space between stars. Astrochemists have demonstrated a key role that icy dust could play in the formation of a precursor molecule for life's building blocks. See article.

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Saturday, November 05, 2011

Mars500 crew opens ‘spacecraft’ door

Mars500 crew opens ‘spacecraft’ door Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star system BD+69-45? See article.
g Life - A new study questions the longstanding assumption that bacteria do not 'age.' The research indicates that bacteria do indeed age, and this process may improve the evolutionary fitness of bacterial populations. See article.
g Cosmicus - The crew of the Mars500 experiment is preparing to open the hatch of their “spacecraft” for the first time since June of last year. See article.

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Friday, November 04, 2011

Three planets orbiting giant, dying stars discovered

Three planets orbiting giant, dying stars discovered Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star Iota Perseus? See article.
g Abodes - Astronomers have discovered three new planets orbiting giant, dying stars. One of the stars also has a mystery object in orbit. The new data provides information about the evolution of extrasolar planetary systems. See article.
g Life - A new study shows that worms may have been the first fauna to recover from mass extinctions that occurred after the devastating Chicxulub asteroid impact 65.5 million years ago. See article.

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Thursday, November 03, 2011

Potential habitability of nearby star Pollux

Potential habitability of nearby star Pollux Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - What is the potential habitability of the nearby star Pollux? See article.
g Abodes - New data from the Rosetta probe indicates that the asteroid 21 Lutetia may have a molten, metallic core. See article.
g Life - A new study has detailed the potential mechanism behind bioluminesence in dinoflagellates. See article.

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Wednesday, November 02, 2011

If we find other civilizations, what will we say to them?

If we find other civilizations, what will we say to them? Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Stars - A new theory suggests that doughnut-shaped dust around supermassive black holes could be the result of high speed crashes between planets and asteroids. See article.
g Cosmicus - On Nov. 8th, the asteroid 2005 YU55 will safely fly past Earth slightly closer than the Moon's orbit. Scientists will be watching it from Earth, gathering new data about the small space rock. See article.
g Aftermath - If we find other civilizations, what will we say to them? Crafting a message that represents Earth and humanity and can be understood by another life form is no minor endeavor. SETI Institute psychologist Douglas Vakoch has been charged with this formidable task, and has enlisted the help of mathematicians, artists, astronomers and anthropologists. Hear the messages he helped compose and learn about the thinking behind them .

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Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Organic compounds with unexpected complexity throughout the universe and what Frank Drake says we should tell ETI

Organic compounds with unexpected complexity throughout the universe and what Frank Drake says we should tell ETI Welcome! "Alien Life" tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. Here's today's news:
g Abodes - New research indicates that temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean during the greenhouse climate of the Late Cretaceous were influenced by circulation in the deep ocean. The study could help astrobiologists understand how modern climate change could affect the future of our planet. See article.
g Life - Astronomers have discovered organic compounds with unexpected complexity throughout the universe. The findings could have implications in understanding how and where life can originate from organic precursors. See article.
g Message - "If you're sending a message to extraterrestrials, what you want to send is what's special about us and our planet — what is unusual," according to SETI astronomer Frank Drake. See article.

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