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Written by Staff Writer
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Mar 20, 2007 at 09:41 PM |
Not long after arriving at Saturn, NASA's Cassini orbiter flew past the moon Enceladus and observed enormous geysers of ice particles spewing from its surface. But the existence of these towering fountains caused astronomers to scratch their heads — how could a frozen world like Enceladus ever be hot enough for geysers to form? According to mission scientists reporting this week from the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, Texas, the answer lies in the moon's ancient past, and with molecular nitrogen (N2) seen in the spray coming off the surface.
Saturn's moon Enceladus, as seen by the Huygens probe
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Last Updated ( Mar 22, 2007 at 03:51 PM )
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Written by Staff Writer
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Mar 18, 2007 at 01:20 PM |
As recent geologic events go, few had more dramatic consequences than the formation of a land bridge between Central and South America 3 million years ago. Formed by the Pacific tectonic plate sliding under the Caribbean one, the Isthmus of Panama divided the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, radically altering sea currents. A massive extinction of marine animals ensued, yet death may not have come quickly
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Last Updated ( Mar 18, 2007 at 01:20 PM )
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Written by Staff Writer
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Mar 15, 2007 at 10:05 AM |
Scientists in Borneo and Sumatra have discovered a new species of great cat, according to the WWF.
"For over 100 years we have been looking at this animal and never realised that it was unique," said Stuart Chapman, coordinator of a WWF programme that aims at preserving the vast rain forests in a region known as the Heart of Borneo.
The announcement follows a December report from WWF saying dozens of new animal, fish, plant and tree species had recently been found on Borneo, one of the world's last frontiers for biodiversity but under threat from deforestation.
Clouded leopards were first described scientifically in 1821 by British naturalist Edward Griffith and were given the official name Neofelis nebulosa. Until now, the mainland and island animals were believed to be a single species.
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Written by Staff Writer
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Mar 09, 2007 at 11:07 AM |
European Union leaders have agreed to adopt a binding target on the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, officials say.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Europe was now able to lead the way on climate change. The 27 EU states will each decide how they contribute to meeting a 20% boost overall in renewable fuel use by 2020.
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Last Updated ( Mar 26, 2007 at 01:38 PM )
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Written by Staff Writer
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Mar 04, 2007 at 06:53 PM |
If Earth had a mountain so incredibly high that its peak poked through the outermost layer of our atmosphere, mountain climbers smart enough and hardy enough to reach the top would have some idea what it will be like to be camped on the moon.
For those mountain climbers, it would be quiet and there would be no wind or weather to overcome. But without long and careful preparation, those mountain climbers would have no air to breathe, no food or water and no protection from the sun's radiation. All around them would be rocks and, if they were lucky, perhaps a bit of frozen ice in the crevices that never saw the sun.
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Science
