Latest news with #GoldilocksZone
Gizmodo
7 days ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
New Theory Could Dramatically Expand the Search for Aliens
The search for alien life is largely centered on finding planets in the 'Goldilocks Zone'—the distance from a star where a planet could have liquid water on its surface and enough light to sustain life. But a new study offers a tantalizing possibility that other worlds, far from their host stars, may also be able to support living things, a finding that could dramatically broaden the search for extraterrestrial life. In a paper published last week in the International Journal of Astrobiology, researchers describe how cosmic rays—high-speed beams of particles pinging across the universe—could carry enough energy to sustain life. These rays can penetrate deep into the interior of planets far from their host stars, where they could strike underground reservoirs of water. The impact from the rays would split the water particles, releasing electrons in a process called radiolysis. Certain microbes that are known to survive in dark, cold environments on Earth sustain themselves using this mechanism. If alien life could survive on radiolysis, as the findings suggest, then astronomers may need to reevaluate what is considered the habitable zone. Led by New York University Abu Dhabi's Center for Astrophysics and Space Science, the researchers ran computer simulations to determine how different levels of cosmic ray exposure might influence the surfaces of three cold bodies in our solar system: Mars, Enceladus (one of Saturn's moons), and Europa (a moon of Jupiter). Specifically, they wanted to see whether cosmic rays could trigger radiolysis there, and especially on the two moons, as astronomers have long believed they could have water below their icy surfaces. The team found that Enceladus was the most promising candidate for sustaining life via radiolysis, although the simulations suggested that all three bodies could support some level of radiolysis, according to the paper. The researchers suggest that astronomers should expand what they think of as the habitable zone, dubbing this larger arena the Radiolytic Habitable Zone. 'This discovery changes the way we think about where life might exist,' lead study author Dimitra Atri said in a statement. 'Instead of looking only for warm planets with sunlight, we can now consider places that are cold and dark, as long as they have some water beneath the surface and are exposed to cosmic rays. Life might be able to survive in more places than we ever imagined,' he added.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Pittsburgh's Wednesday weather appears to be in the "Goldilocks Zone"
Besides the smoke, today looks to be the pick of the week as we will be in the Goldilocks zone. I think for most, temperatures won't be too hot or too cold. They'll be just right. WEATHER LINKS: Current Conditions | School Closings & Delays | Submit Your Weather Photos I have highs hitting 80 degrees today with humidity levels on the low side. This means it will feel fantastic when you're outside. Conditions in Pittsburgh on June 11, 2025 KDKA Weather Center Morning temperatures were in the 50s this morning, and it may be a while before we see temperatures this cool again. Noon temperatures will be in the mid-70s. While your next good chance to see rain comes on Saturday, I actually bring back a small isolated rain chance on Thursday and another isolated rain chance on Friday. Most will be completely dry on Thursday, and the Friday rain chance comes after sunset. Saturday's rain and storm chance looks to arrive in the early afternoon and will stick around for the rest of the day. Our setup with a broad area of low pressure moving our way from the western Gulf and merging with a Canadian cool front could bring significant rain our way. Right now, at least the model data isn't picking up too much on big rain totals. We will see. The rain continues on Sunday, with the best chance for rain happening in the morning and afternoon. Looking way ahead, Temperatures are expected to spike heading into the middle of next week. I have highs in the upper 80s on Thursday next week. The NWS did indeed confirm the 11th tornado so far this year in Western PA. This one was in Clarion County. It was an EF-0. This was the first tornado in Clarion County since 2017 and only the county's 15th confirmed tornado ever. The biggest weather story today is probably the presence of Canadian smoke as a thick smoke plume continues to track to the east. This morning, the plume with be the thickest with things improving for the afternoon and evening hours. Wildfire smoke in our area as of Wednesday morning KDKA Weather Center Smoke is expected to remain well above the surface, so air quality is unlikely to be significantly impacted. Smoke will be thin for the rest of the week. 7-day forecast: June 11, 2025 KDKA Weather Center Stay up to date with the KDKA Mobile App – which you can download here!
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Kansas NASA scientist talks discovery of potential life
TOPEKA (KSNT) – A planet 8.6 times heavier than Earth has recently sparked debate after molecules known to come exclusively from life were discovered in its atmosphere. 27 News spoke to Brenda Culbertson, Solar System Ambassador for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory based in Kansas, about the discovery. She said it seems highly plausible that there may be some basic life form, such as phytoplankton, living on the exoplanet K2-18 b. 'I'm not saying that evidence of 'intelligent' life is there, just the basic form of the phytoplankton,' Culbertson said. K2-18 b is more than twice the size of Earth and eight times as heavy, putting it in the 'Super Earth' classification. 'It is in what we call the Goldilocks Zone (Habitable Zone) where temps are not too hot and not too cold for life as we know it,' Culbertson said. 'The star it orbits is an M type, which is not as hot as our star, but still warm enough to support that life.' What causes the different colors of an aurora borealis? While the planet is now known for carbon-bearing molecules, it doesn't necessarily mean it can support life, according to NASA reports it's possible the planet could have an ocean surface but also says the ocean may be too hot to be habitable or liquid. 'I have no doubts that NASA has discovered hydrogen and carbon in the atmosphere of K2-18 b, and through the James Webb Telescope and others, they will continue to find out more,' Culbertson said. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
