Planetary Science
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has imaged the largest known protoplanetary disk, revealing a turbulent and asymmetric structure around a young star. The disk, nicknamed Dracula's Chivito, stretches nearly 400 billion miles across and lies about 1,000 light-years from Earth.
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Researchers have identified a statistical signature in organic molecules that distinguishes biological from nonbiological chemistry, offering a new tool for detecting extraterrestrial life. The approach analyzes the distribution of amino acids and fatty acids without needing specialized instruments. It could apply to data from ongoing and future space missions.
New research from NASA's Cassini mission indicates that Saturn's moon Enceladus releases heat from both its north and south poles, suggesting a stable subsurface ocean conducive to life. The findings, published on November 7 in Science Advances, reveal unexpected thermal activity at the north pole. This balance of heat could sustain the moon's liquid water for billions of years.
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Ars Technica has introduced a new monthly feature highlighting interesting scientific stories that might otherwise go unnoticed, starting with a collection from October. The roundup covers six diverse topics, from computational puzzles to archaeological insights. This shift from annual year-end summaries aims to keep readers updated more frequently on quirky research.