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Scientists find definitive evidence of water on the Moon

David Szondy August 20, 2018

A NASA team has found definitive evidence of water ice at the poles of the Moon. Using data from NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper aboard the Indian Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter, the new discovery indicates that not only is water present on the Moon, but it is readily accessible from the surface.

Distribution of surface ice at the Moon's south pole (left) and north pole (right) as detected ...

Marine

Next-gen autonomous subs set to study microbes

Ben Coxworth March 8, 2018

At least half of the oxygen in our atmosphere is created by ocean microbes, which also form the basis of marine food webs that support global fisheries. Scientists are now attempting to better understand the microorganisms, utilizing a new type of autonomous underwater vehicle.

One of the long-range AUVs cruises beneath the surface during field trials in Hawaii

Space

Just passing through: First ever detection of visiting "interstellar object"

David Szondy October 27, 2017

An object originating from outside the Solar System has been detected passing through the Sun's real estate. Temporarily designated as A/2017 U1, the extrasolar asteroid or comet was recorded after approaching from interstellar space and heading out again on a parabolic trajectory.

A/2017 U1 is most likely of interstellar origin

Environment

Hawaiian marine preserve hit by coral bleaching

Ben Coxworth June 2, 2017

For many people, coral bleaching may seem like one of those things that's only happening in distant lands. The truth is, however, that's no longer the case. A recent study has recorded significant coral bleaching in what is likely Hawaii's most popular snorkelling area.

Dr. Ku'ulei Rodgers conducting a coral bleaching survey

Science

Simulation suggests 68 percent of the universe may not actually exist

Michael Irving March 30, 2017

The Lambda Cold Dark Matter model suggests that 68 percent of the universe is made up of dark energy. But a new study has questioned whether dark energy exists, citing simulations that found that accounting for the structure of the cosmos, the gap in the theory, which dark energy fills, vanishes.

New computer simulations have questioned the existence of dark energy, a so-far theoretical force that is ...

Space

Map of the entire visible universe released to the public

Michael Irving December 22, 2016

In 2010, equipped with the biggest astronomical camera in the world, the Pan-STARRS1 telescope began scanning the sky in different wavelengths of light. Now all 2 petabytes of data gathered will become available to the public.

Astronomers have publicly released a treasure trove of data gathered over four years by the Pan-STARRS1 ...

Space

One Big Question: What were the biggest surprises from living in a simulated Martian habitat for a full year?

Michael Franco September 9, 2016

As part of our regular weekly feature, New Atlas asked two of the HI-SEAS mission participants what their biggest positive and negative surprises were from living in close quarters with other people for a full year in an effort to see what early human life might be like on Mars.

The HI-SEAS habitat is situated about 8,000 mi high in an abandoned quarry on the slopes ...

Space

Year-long Mars mission simulation comes to an end

Michael Irving August 29, 2016

A team of scientists have re-entered normal life on Earth after spending a year simulating life on Mars. The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) research project set out to study the psychological effects of isolated, confined space missions on astronauts.

A team of six scientists has emerged from a yearlong simulation of life on Mars

Space

One year Mars mission simulation underway in Hawaii

David Szondy September 5, 2015

Last week on the slopes of Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii, six volunteers sealed themselves inside a dome habitat, where they will live in isolation for one year on a simulated space mission.

The project sees a solar-powered dome 36 ft in diameter and 20 ft high uses to ...

Marine

Submersible photographs WW2 Japanese sub's long-lost airplane hangar

Ben Coxworth April 29, 2015

Japan's I-400-class subs were so large that they could each carry and launch three Aichi M6A Seiran amphibious aircraft. Now, for the first time since it was scuttled at the end of World War II, one of the sunken subs' aircraft hangars has been photographed.

A manned submersible approaches the I-400's hangar (Photo: NOAA)