Scientists are usually a realistic bunch—our salaries depend on proposing projects that are doable with the tools we have in our hands, and our plans usually involve prudent small steps...
Taking a peek at the volcanoes of Venus
The surface of Venus can't be seen at visible wavelengths, thanks to the sweltering mixture of chemicals in the planet's atmosphere. But, over the years, various probes have mapped the surface using other wavelengths, leading to a couple of significant findings. One is that the planet's surface appears to...
Estimate of CO2-temperature feedback suggests lower impact
It's fairly easy to calculate the direct impact of adding more greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere, since that involves basic radiative physics. But, as we mentioned previously, the climate isn't...
Spirit stops roving Mars as Opportunity takes time to drill
The durability of the Mars rovers has been nothing short of staggering. Kids who weren't even born when they were launched have now started Kindergarten. When they landed in 2004, Ars didn't even have a dedicated science section—and wouldn't for over another year. NASA's cautious estimate was that...
Asteroid and comet bombardment melted one of Jupiter’s moons
Jupiter's four major moons, discovered by Galileo 401 years ago now, are fascinating studies in contrast. Heat from tidal forces have shaped the inner two moons, giving Io active volcanoes and...
Lakes on Mars a half-billion years later than expected
There's pretty widespread acceptance now that many of the features of Mars are best explained by the presence of liquid water, but that water seems to have frozen in the distant past. We can spot what appear to be glacial features on the planet now, but the local conditions are...
Cassini sheds light on Saturn’s 30- and 300-year mysteries
This week, data from NASA's Cassini probe has shed light on a couple of the stranger features of Saturn, providing answers to questions that were raised years ago. In terms...
