The Latest Breaking News from Stephen Kane

Star Wars-like planet of Earth’s size can actually support life

Study finds stable planet orbits are possible in the habitable zone of binary star systems

The Independent UK · Oct 12

Venus has a deadly heat blanket that Mercury never had. Why the planet farther from the Sun became the hottest world in our solar system

Mercury is closer to the Sun, but Venus is the solar system's hottest planet. Venus possesses an extremely dense carbon dioxide atmosphere which acts as a heat blanket. This atmosphere traps absorbed solar energy, preventing efficient heat escape into space. Mercury, lacking a substantial atmosphere, experiences extreme temperature swings between…

The Economic Times · Sep 12

Mars’s gravity shapes ice ages on Earth, new research finds

Red Planet’s gravity plays a significant role in climate cycles, computer models reveal

The Independent UK · Jan 26

The surface of this volcanic exoplanet is hotter than some stars

Described as being like "Io on steroids," a newly discovered exoplanet is the victim of a tug of war between its neighboring planets and its star.

Space · May 13, 2024

A new target in search for alien life

Studying planets in other solar systems has challenged notions of how life can develop under harsh conditions

Salon · Nov 24, 2023

Bullying Jupiter-like planets may push 'alien Earths' away from life-friendly orbits

Planets like Earth shouldn't get too close to their bigger, bullying neighbors. Jupiter-size worlds can wreck life-friendly conditions on their smaller neighbors.

Space · Nov 2, 2023

Are volcanoes needed for alien life?

What a new exoplanet LP 791-18d tells astronomers about volcanoes and extraterrestrials

Salon · May 24, 2023

Earth-sized alien planet LP 791-18 d believed to be gripped by widespread volcanism

A planet orbiting a dim star in our galactic neighbourhood is offering evidence of volcanism beyond our solar system, with observations suggesting a rugged and rocky world tormented by constant eruptions.

ABC News · May 18, 2023

Earth-sized alien planet gripped by widespread volcanism

An Earth-sized planet orbiting a dim star in our galactic neighborhood is offering some of the best evidence to date of volcanism beyond our solar system, with observations suggesting a rugged and rocky world tormented by constant eruptions.

Reuters · May 17, 2023

Delays to NASA's VERITAS mission a major blow for Venus exploration

Three Venus missions in the Decade of Venus were planned to work in sync with each other. Scientists worry that delays to one are likely going to affect others.

Space · Apr 5, 2023