Earth & Space
How many factors of global change affect soils
We often hear about how the warming climate is affecting the natural world around us. But the human-made global change is a tremendously more complicated problem than "just" a changing climate. It captures pollution, invasive species, biodiversity loss, excessive use of species or land, all... click to read more
Exploding bits of Bennu: adventures in asteroid exploration
Asteroids are ancient remnants from the dawn of the solar system. Locked inside these comparatively small objects are clues to enduring questions about planet formation and the origins of life. Most asteroids orbit between Mars and Jupiter, in the main asteroid belt. Occasionally, an encounter... click to read more
A new way to look at light pollution: revealing the good, the bad and the ugly
The dark night sky, dotted with the light of the stars, has been the source of inspiration for poets, artists, scientists and philosophers throughout human history. In our modern world, the natural beauty of the sky at night is drowned out by the huge number... click to read more
Black holes ring like Einstein predicted
In their inscrutable depths, black holes hold the keys to some of the deepest mysteries of our Universe. Woven out of nothing more than pure space and time, black holes are regions so dense that nothing may escape their gravitational pull. At their center lies... click to read more
Are planets with oxygen-rich atmospheres rare?
Complex life on Earth requires oxygen. Understanding how oxygen levels have evolved on our planet can provide an insight into our own evolution and the possibility of complex life evolving elsewhere. Current theories suggest that Earth's O2 levels have risen three times over its 4.5... click to read more
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