Articles for category: Animal Behavior, Space

Hubble telescope

The Science of Black Holes: Could They Really Be Gateways to Other Universes?

Annette Uy

The universe is a vast and enigmatic place, filled with cosmic wonders that stretch the limits of human imagination. Among these celestial phenomena, black holes remain one of the most mysterious and intriguing subjects in astrophysics. As we peer into the depths of space, questions arise: Could black holes be more than just voracious cosmic ...

Photo of the constellation Lupus produced by NOIRLab in collaboration with Eckhard Slawik

Nova V462 Lupi Ignites the Skies: A Rare Stellar Explosion Captivates Earth

April Joy Jovita

A spectacular astronomical event has unfolded in the southern constellation of Lupus as a newly discovered nova, V462 Lupi, surged into view this June. Initially recorded on June 12, 2025, by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN), the nova has rapidly brightened to naked-eye visibility, stunning both professional astronomers and casual skywatchers alike. With ...

Close-up photography of lichens.

Lichen: The Alien-Like Organisms That Can Survive in Space

Trizzy Orozco

Lichens are among the most fascinating life forms on Earth, blending the properties of fungi and algae to create a symbiotic relationship that defies conventional existence. Their resilience and adaptability have captured the attention of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. Imagine an organism capable of surviving the harshest environments on Earth, only to be rocketed ...

A hycean planet is a hypothetical type of planet, described as a hot, water-covered planet with a hydrogen atmosphere. The presence of extraterrestrial liquid water makes Hycean planets promising candidates for planetary habitability. According to researchers, density data imply that both rocky Super-Earths and Sub-Neptunes can fit this type, and it is thus expected that they will be common exoplanets. Currently there are no confirmed hycean planets, but the Kepler mission detected many candidates. Hycean planets could be considerably larger than what habitable planets were previously thought to be, with radii reaching 2.6 R⊕ (2.3 R⊕) and masses of 10 M⊕ (5 M⊕). Moreover, the habitable zone of such planets could be considerably larger than that of Earth-like planets. The planetary equilibrium temperature can reach 500 K (227 °C; 440 °F) at late M-dwarfs. There could also exist tidally locked 'Dark Hycean' planets (habitable only on the side of permanent night) or 'Cold Hycean' planets (with negligible irradiation). Hycean worlds could be soon investigated for biosignatures by terrestrial telescopes and space telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope. The term "Hycean planet" was coined in 2021 by a team of exoplanet researchers at the University of Cambridge, as a portmanteau of "hydrogen" and "ocean", used to describe planets that are thought to have large oceans and hydrogen-rich atmospheres. Hycean planets are thought to be common around red dwarf stars, and are considered to be a promising place to search for life beyond Earth. Although the presence of water may help them be habitable planets, their habitability may be limited by a possible runaway greenhouse effect. Hydrogen reacts differently to starlight's wavelengths than do heavier gases like nitrogen and oxygen. If the planet orbits the star at one Astronomical unit (AU), the temperature would be so high that the oceans would boil and water would become vapor. Current calculations locate the habitable zone where water would remain liquid at 1.6 AU, if the atmospheric pressure is similar to Earth's, or at 3.85 AU if it is the more likely tenfold to twentyfold pressure. All current Hycean planet candidates are located within the area where oceans would boil, and are thus unlikely to have actual oceans of liquid water. Hycean planets have hydrogen-rich atmospheres. The atmospheres on Hycean planets are thought to be made up of hydrogen, helium, and water vapor. They are thought to be covered in oceans. The oceans on Hycean planets are thought to be much deeper than the oceans on Earth. They are thought to be common around red dwarf stars. Red dwarf stars are the most common type of star in the Milky Way galaxy. They are considered to be a promising place to search for life beyond Earth. Hycean planets have the ingredients necessary for life, including liquid water, energy, and organic molecules. The discovery of Hycean planets may represent a new frontier in the search for life beyond Earth. These planets are thought to be very different from Earth, but they could still be home to forms of life. Astronomers plan to use telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope to search for Hycean planets and to learn more about their potential for human habitability. One such candidate planet is K2-18b, which orbits a faint star with a period of about 33 days. It could have liquid water, contains a considerable high amount of hydrogen gas in its atmosphere, and is far enough from its star. It clearly resides in its star’s habitable zone. It is discovered to contain water in its atmosphere. Such candidate planets can be studied for biomarkers. Image created by Pablo Carlos Budassi in 2023 (pablocarlosbudassi.com)

Do Deep Exoplanet Oceans Hide Clues to Life? Exploring Hycean Habitable Zones

Jan Otte

The quest for life beyond Earth has centered for decades on rocky, Earth-like planets, but a new class of enigmatic worlds called Hycean planets may upend this way of thinking about habitability. These ocean-laden exoplanets, cloaked in dense hydrogen atmospheres, could have great hidden seas thousands of miles below their surfaces, and tidal forces and geothermal heat ...

Wolfe Creek Crater: Australia's Real-Life "Meteorite Impact Zone"

Wolfe Creek Crater: Australia’s Real-Life “Meteorite Impact Zone”

Annette Uy

Deep in the heart of Western Australia’s remote outback lies one of Earth’s most perfectly preserved meteorite impact craters. This isn’t just another hole in the ground – it’s a window into our planet’s violent cosmic past, where space rocks have been slamming into Earth for billions of years. Standing at the rim of Wolfe ...

A spaceship leaving Earth.

The Future of European Space Exploration: How ESA is Competing with NASA

Annette Uy

The European Space Agency (ESA) is gaining momentum in the world of space exploration, presenting a formidable challenge to NASA’s long-standing dominance. With its innovative approaches and groundbreaking missions, ESA is carving out its niche in the vast expanse of space. This fascinating journey is not just about exploring new frontiers but also about establishing ...

Ocean waves crashing on shore during sunset.

5 Great Solar Storms in History: What Would Happen if One Hit Today?

Trizzy Orozco

Solar storms, often seen as captivating displays of nature’s power, have fascinated humans for centuries. These cosmic events, characterized by intense bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields, can have profound effects on our planet. As we delve into the history of these celestial phenomena, we uncover tales of awe and wonder, as well as ...