Tag: astrobiology

A software program builds alternative DNA molecules Scientists are using computer programs to build alternative DNA molecules called XNAs. These XNAs will teach us what is possible for life!

Posted on April 7, 2021April 7, 2021 by Rachel Holland 432 views

Scientists are using computer programs to understand our early beginnings. Click on the link to see how they are doing it, and how they might discover the genetic chemistry of life in the cosmos!

Microbes from extreme environments help us study space Scientists study extremophilic strains of bacteria and archaea from around the planet to gain valuable insights on their behavior in harsh space environment.

Posted on March 18, 2021April 7, 2021 by Anisha Shastri 320 views

Space is a hostile place. It has numerous stressors which make it seem impossible for Earth-like life to thrive there. Some of these stresses include harmful ultraviolet radiation, anaerobic conditions (environment devoid of oxygen), high temperature, and varying pressure. Extremophiles are organisms that live in…

Are we looking for Martian life in the right place? Is Mars truly a desolate, sterile desert? Some scientists think not, and suggest turning our sights to the planet’s hidden underworld for answers.

Posted on February 4, 2021April 2, 2021 by Chris Patterson 118 views

Thus far, we have not found evidence of life on Mars. Is it truly a sterile desert, or are we simply looking in the wrong place? #Mars #NASA

A stinky noxious gas could point us toward alien life Whatever happened with life on venus? Phosphine can accumulate in a planet’s atmosphere where telescopes from Earth might be able to detect it

Posted on February 1, 2021April 2, 2021 by Genesis Berlanga 56 views

Hold your noses! ET life might produce noxious gases in the form of #phosphine. Here’s why phosphine is an important marker in the search for alien life in the universe. #astrobiology #biosignatures #exoplanets

How water shaped the Earth Minerologists, geologists, astronomers, astrobiologists explain how water shaped our planet’s history by studying the types of chemical reactions where water plays a fundamental role.

Posted on November 21, 2020April 1, 2021 by Romulo Cruz 225 views

Water has molded our planet into what it is today, in ways you may not have imagined! #water #waterislife

Students inspired to study science by participating in real NASA missions In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a group of scientists and teachers came together to create an exciting new educational resource, named Ad Astra Academy. The goal? To develop brief, intense programs to help encourage academically at-risk students to develop critical thinking skills.

Posted on November 16, 2020April 1, 2021 by Sarah Treadwell 19 views

Can teachers get students in underrepresented, disadvantaged communities to feel excited about science if they get to participate in real NASA missions? Turns out, probably! #teaching #StemEd

Algae in space teaches us how life responds to harsh environments A species of blue-green algae that can live in rocks could resist radiation and extreme space weather, and returned to Earth still viable!

Posted on October 25, 2020April 1, 2021 by Rabeea Rasheed 52 views

Extremophiles can literally survive in many conditions, even in the extreme radiation of space. Read this article to learn how extremophiles help us understand the search for life in the universe.

Could a deadly gas be a sign of life? The presence of carbon monoxide on exoplanets is no longer a reason to discount the possibility of the presence of life.

Posted on October 22, 2020April 1, 2021 by Emma Stefanacci 22 views

How do scientists look for life in the universe? Usually they look for gasses that would support life, and assume anything toxic to us would be toxic to life. Perhaps that isn't true across the board.

There may be other ways to build DNA and RNA Researchers have made a synthetic DNA that is made of eight bases instead of the normal four. This genetic system was capable of supporting the requirements of life. This work lays the foundation of how life could look on a different world.

Posted on October 7, 2020April 1, 2021 by Madeline Garner 73 views

One of the most fundamental building blocks of life on earth is DNA. This molecule consists of four base pairs and a negatively charged backbone that come together to form the double helix. If life existed elsewhere in the universe, would it use a different genetic information system? Recent work done by Hoshika and…

Learning about space motivates students to pursue science Implementing a program called Ad Astra Academy with students in disadvantaged communities in Rio de Janeiro resulted in increased passion and inspiration for science.

Posted on September 29, 2020April 1, 2021 by Elisabeth Lee 46 views

Whether it is the acceptance of different passions, backgrounds, or even favorite movies, diversity matters. A group of ten researchers who noticed the positive correlation between motivation and academic success created the Ad Astra Academy to teach astrobiology abroad. They educated students from disadvantaged…