GJ 367b is another dead world orbiting a red dwarf
It’s not looking good for red dwarf habitability, and that’s nothing new.
Astronomers studied the atmosphere of the often-mentioned exoplanet GJ 367b and found, well,...
Want to find life? See what’s missing in an atmosphere
The world runs on carbon.
Not just fossil-fuel-driven human society, but all life on Earth. Carbon-based organic molecules are a part of every living thing...
Saturn’s moon Enceladus: A promising spot for alien life
Have you ever wondered if we're alone in the universe?
Well, scientists are getting closer to answering that big question, thanks to a tiny moon...
A carbon-lite atmosphere could be a sign of water and life on other terrestrial...
Scientists at MIT, the University of Birmingham, and elsewhere say that astronomers’ best chance of finding liquid water, and even life on other planets,...
A new theory sheds light on dark matter puzzles
Have you ever wondered what makes up most of the universe?
A recent study brings us closer to understanding this mystery, focusing on something called...
Mars’ recent volcanic activity reveals a turbulent history
Mars, often thought of as a quiet and inactive planet, has recently shown us a more lively side.
Researchers from the University of Arizona made...
Scientists discover life’s essential ingredient in distant corners of the Milky Way
Astonishing new findings from astronomers at the University of Arizona have turned our understanding of where life's ingredients can be found in the galaxy...
MIT’s top research stories of 2023
It has been another prolific year for MIT’s research community in 2023.
As we close out the year, MIT News looks back at some of our most...
Asteroid samples reveal cosmic origins of life’s fundamental molecules
Have you ever wondered about the building blocks of life on Earth and how they might be connected to outer space?
A recent study led...
How stars forge the universe’s heaviest elements
The universe’s heaviest elements are produced spectacularly: in the hot centers of certain stars.
By studying the patterns of which elements are present in many...