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Machine Evolution
Many scientists believe that life started out as nothing more than strands of proto-genetic material known as RNA. A new device automates studies of RNA evolution and could lend insights into the origin of life on Earth.
July 24, 2008 / Written by: James Kling
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Marine Subsurface is a Distinct Microbial Habitat
Researchers from NAI’s Penn State, MBL, and UCLA Teams have completed a study of the subseafloor marine biosphere, which may be one of the largest reservoirs of microbial biomass on Earth, and has recently been the subject of debate in terms of the composition of its microbial inhabitants. Their metagenomic analysis indicates that the subsurface environment is the most unique studied to date, distinct in its microbial make-up from the surface waters. The slowly-metabolizing populations may...
July 24, 2008 / Posted by: Daniella Scalice
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New ASTEP Projects Reach from Arctic to Antarctic, Mars to Europa
The NASA Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) Program this month has awarded grants to seven new projects, including four field campaigns and three technology development projects.
The new ASTEP field campaigns will take place in terrestrial analogues to other planetary environments, ranging from the high Arctic to Antarctica. The new technology development initiatives will proceed with an eye toward future missions to Mars, Enceladus, and Europa.
The new projects, proposed in response to the
July 22, 2008 / Written by: Linda Billings
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Washington Post Covers Astrobiology
In yesterday’s edition of the Washington Post, writer Marc Kauffman discusses the “…scientific explosion taking place in astrobiology.”
July 21, 2008 / Posted by: Daniella Scalice
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New Extrasolar Planetary System May Be Much Like Our Own
Researchers from the NAI’s University of Arizona Team have published a new study in the current issue of Astrophysical Journal Letters of the potential habitability of the extrasolar planetary system OGLE-2006-BLG-109L. The first multiple-planet system ever to be discovered by gravitational microlensing, it has two large planets similar to Jupiter and Saturn. It’s possible that the system harbors other planets, including Earth-like planets, that are beyond the sensitivity...
July 18, 2008 / Posted by: Daniella Scalice
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Moon Samples Found to Contain Water
Using new techniques, scientists from NAI’s Carnegie Institution of Washington Team have discovered for the first time that tiny beads of volcanic glasses collected from two Apollo missions to the Moon contain water. The researchers found that, contrary to previous thought, water was not entirely vaporized in the violent events that formed the Moon. The new study suggests that the water came from the Moon’s interior and was delivered to the surface...
July 18, 2008 / Posted by: Daniella Scalice
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NAI Announces 2008 Director's Discretionary Fund Awards
The NASA Astrobiology Institute is pleased to announce the selection of 18 proposals for support through the 2008 NAI Director’s Discretionary Fund. These awards allocate more than $1.4M toward strategic investments that advance the science of astrobiology, demonstrate impact to NASA’s space flight programs or its broader science activities, and/or contribute to NASA’s role as a federal R&D agency.
July 17, 2008 / Posted by: Marco Boldt
Astrobiology Field Work
Rollover map to explore Astrobiology field sites around the world.
