Articles for category: Space

Mars in space as seen from afar.

Could Plants Survive on Mars? The Challenges of Growing Life on Another Planet

Trizzy Orozco

The notion of growing plants on Mars has captured the imagination of scientists and science fiction enthusiasts alike. With plans for manned missions and potential colonization, understanding if and how plants could survive on Mars is crucial. Plants not only provide food but also produce oxygen and help recycle carbon dioxide, making them indispensable for ...

Intestinal bacteria. Microbiome.

Microbes in Space Can Life Survive Beyond Earth

Maria Faith Saligumba

When thinking about space exploration, we often envision advanced spacecraft, groundbreaking technology, and heroic astronauts embarking on perilous missions to the stars. However, one of the most important factors in the search for extraterrestrial life and the possibility of sustaining human life beyond Earth lies in the microscopic realm of microbes. These tiny organisms, which ...

The sun with a corona mass ejection.

The Effect of Space Weather on Earth’s Wildlife: How Solar Flares and Cosmic Rays Impact Animals

Trizzy Orozco

Space weather refers to the environmental conditions in space as influenced by the sun and the solar wind. These conditions include solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and cosmic rays that can dramatically affect the Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere. While space weather is predominantly studied for its impact on technology, such as communication systems, it’s ...

black hole galaxy illustration

The Strange World of Space Panspermia: Could Life Have Spread Across the Universe?

Annette Uy

Introduction to Panspermia: An Overview The concept of panspermia is as fascinating as it is enigmatic, suggesting that life exists throughout the universe and is distributed by meteoroids, asteroids, comets, and possibly spacecraft. This theory postulates that life on Earth, or elsewhere, might have an extraterrestrial origin. Although panspermia is not a new idea, its ...

A satellite glides over Earth showcasing dramatic cloud formations and the vast expanse of space.

The Role of Satellites in Tracking Wildlife and Monitoring Ecosystems

Maria Faith Saligumba

Satellites have become an indispensable tool in the contemporary conservationist’s arsenal. Originally intended for communication and scientific exploration, these advanced technologies now play a crucial role in tracking wildlife and monitoring ecosystems. Satellite technology offers unprecedented advantages, including the ability to cover large areas, gather data in real-time, and minimize human intervention, which often disturbs ...

A man tending to plant samples under purple grow lights in a laboratory setting.

Space Farming: How Could We Grow Food and Sustain Life in Space?

Annette Uy

As humanity sets its sights on long-term space exploration and potential colonization of other planets, the need for sustainable life-support systems becomes paramount. Space farming, or the production of food in space environments, is a crucial component of these future missions. It aims to address the challenges of food production in space, offering solutions for ...

A satellite orbiting above Earth with a view of land and ocean.

How Space Telescopes Help Us Study Earths Biodiversity from Above

Maria Faith Saligumba

Space telescopes are often associated with exploring distant galaxies, stars, and the mysteries of the universe. However, their utility stretches beyond the cosmic to offer valuable insights into Earth’s own systems. By capturing data from above, space telescopes play a crucial role in studying and understanding the complex tapestry of life on our planet. This ...

Abandoned Desert Dish: What Happened to the Owens Valley Radio Observatory?

Annette Uy

Imagine standing alone in the vast, echoing silence of the California desert, surrounded by mountains and endless sky. Suddenly, you see a cluster of enormous metal dishes rising from the dusty earth—silent sentinels once tuned to the whispers of the universe. The Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO), once a beacon of astronomical discovery, now sits ...