A second minor planet may possess Saturn-like rings
Researchers detect features around Chiron that may signal rings, jets, or a shell of dust.
Department
Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences
New detector sniffs out origins of methane
Instrument identifies methane’s origins in mines, deep-sea vents, and cows.
New technique allows analysis of clouds around exoplanets
Team describes use of method to determine properties of clouds surrounding the exoplanet Kepler-7b.
Solving carbon mysteries of the deep ocean
New research from MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals a hidden deep-ocean carbon cycle.
Tackling global change during IAP
MIT graduate students brush up on the fundamentals of climate science and policy.
Sequestration on shaky ground
Study finds a natural impediment to the long-term sequestration of carbon dioxide.
A twist on planetary origins
New study finds meteorites were byproducts of planetary formation, not building blocks.
Life on an aquaplanet
MIT study finds an exoplanet, tilted on its side, could still be habitable if covered in ocean.
What really killed the dinosaurs?
Before an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, Earth experienced a short burst of intense volcanism.
3 Questions: Ben Weiss on the lunar dynamo
The moon’s molten, churning core likely once generated a dynamo.
Small volcanoes make a dent in global warming
Study shows that the effects of smaller eruptions have been underestimated in climate models.
Improving media coverage of climate science
New web-based Climate Feedback application provides a method for scientists and journalists to improve the accuracy of climate science reporting.
Losing air
New study finds a barrage of small impacts likely erased much of the Earth’s primordial atmosphere.
Pulling together the early solar system
New study finds that a strong magnetic field whipped the early solar system into shape.