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New research concludes sea-level rise may be slower than first thought

New research concludes sea-level rise may be slower than first thought

A new international study by scientists from the UK and France has concluded that, whilst melting ice in Antarctica will contribute to sea-level rise over the next century, the consequences may not be as serious as first thought. Published in the respected academic journal, Nature, the study predicts the consequences of the retreat of the […]

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The five most Earth-like exoplanets (so far)

The five most Earth-like exoplanets (so far)

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read that the “first Earth-like exoplanet” has been discovered. With nearly 2000 exoplanets found to date, it is no wonder so many of them will resemble our planet in some way. But which exoplanets are similar enough to the Earth that they could actually be habitable? […]

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Seven spectacular weather events – and what causes them

Seven spectacular weather events – and what causes them

The weather might seem like it creates weeks of dreary, grey drizzle. But it can also put on a truly sensational – and, often, deadly – show. But what explains these explosive events? The Earth’s atmosphere is driven by heating from the Sun. Weather is the response of the atmosphere to the uneven pattern of […]

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Science Beyond Fiction: OU researcher speaks at first TEDxESA Conference

Science Beyond Fiction: OU researcher speaks at first TEDxESA Conference

OU researcher from the Faculty of Science, Geraint (Taff) Morgan, was one of 12 keynote speakers at the launch of the first ever TEDx and European Space Agency (ESA) event. In his speech, entitled Down to Earth, Taff explored how technology from the Philae lander can be translated to daily life to uncover bedbugs in […]

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Two comets collided at low speed in the early Solar System to give rise to the distinctive ‘rubber duck’ shape of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

Rosetta: Surprising results from analysis of comet gases

New results from Ptolemy – the OU’s instrument on the Rosetta mission’s Philae lander – show a variance in gases coming off the comet’s surface at different locations. The new data helps researchers examine how comets are formed, and indicates that the comet was formed from different building blocks giving it a rich and diverse […]

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Image of the planet Mars

Water on Mars: evidence of glaciers similar to Earth’s

Researchers at University College Dublin (UCD) and The OU have found new evidence that liquid water flowed beneath a glacier on Mars, suggesting it had glaciers more like Earth’s than currently thought . The finding fuels the debate concerning Mars’ habitability and the burning question of whether other planets can sustain life. Dr Colman Gallagher […]

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Oblique view of Phlegra Montes region of Mars showing remnant glacier and eskers. Credit: NASA

NASA: streaks of salt on Mars mean flowing water, and raise new hopes of finding life

Salty streaks have been discovered on Mars, which could be a sign that salt water seeps to the surface in the summers. Scientists have previously observed dark streaks (see image above) on the planet’s slopes which are thought to have resulted from seeps of water wetting surface dust. Evidence of salts left behind in these […]

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