The Open University

Apollo 17 sample leads to new discovery of the Moon’s evolution

11 May 2020

An international team of scientists, including Mahesh Anand, Professor of Planetary Science and Exploration at The Open University, have discovered new evidence that massive impact events formed large portions of the Moon’s crust. According to research, published today in Nature Astronomy, the formation of ancient rocks on the Moon may be directly linked to large-scale […]

Ancient rivers on Mars more than 3.7 billion years old

5 May 2020

Scientists from around the globe have discovered evidence of ancient rivers on Mars more than 3.7 billion years old, using high-resolution 3D imaging data. Sedimentary rocks, found in a 200-metre high Martian rocky cliff, formed by the ancient rivers proves that water was not only present on Mars, but the rivers were probably active for […]

The Sun: study shows it’s less active than sibling stars – here’s what that could mean

1 May 2020

Andrew Norton, Professor of Astrophysics Education at The Open University, writes about the magnetic activity on the Sun and what this could mean. All stars emit varying amounts of light over time – and the Sun is no exception. Such changes in starlight can help us understand how habitable any planets around other stars are […]

New, Earth-sized planet found in habitable zone

15 April 2020

A team of scientists from around the world have discovered an Earth-size exoplanet orbiting in its star’s habitable zone, the area around a star where a rocky planet could support liquid water. Scientists from The Open University, NASA, University of Texas, SETI Institute and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics discovered a new planet, called Kepler-1649c, […]

OU researchers discover ancient water reservoirs inside Mars

30 March 2020

A team of researchers, including scientists from The Open University (OU), have discovered ancient water reservoirs inside the mantle of Mars. OU researchers Professor Mahesh Anand, Dr Ian Franchi, Dr Susanne Schwenzer and Dr Jessica Barnes, a former student at the OU and an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona, worked as part of […]

OU awarded £2.5 million to further success in planetary sciences

30 March 2020

The Open University (OU) has received £2.5 million from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to fund research in planetary sciences, building on the university’s 50 years in space science. Scientists from the School of Physical Sciences have been awarded the grant to further their research in the origin and evolution of the Solar […]

OU researchers make new discoveries set to reveal the geology of planets outside our Solar System

23 December 2019

Three OU astronomers today announce ground-breaking discoveries allowing scientists to understand planets outside our Solar System. Professor Carole Haswell, Dr Daniel Staab and Dr John Barnes discovered three, new, nearby planetary systems. Research led by Professor Haswell found the exoplanets – planets outside the Solar System – as part of the Dispersed Matter Planet Project […]

Professor Monica Grady named as Liverpool Hope University’s new Chancellor

11 December 2019

Leading space expert Professor Monica Grady is to become Liverpool Hope University’s new Chancellor. Monica Grady is Professor of Planetary and Space Science at The Open University and is known for her work on meteorites. She was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa by Liverpool Hope during the Summer 2019 Graduation celebrations. As […]

OU team gives go ahead to bring Mars’ moon pieces to Earth

2 December 2019

A UK team led by the Open University has given the green light for Mars’ moon material to be transported to Earth as part of a forthcoming mission. The team, led by the OU’s Dr Manish Patel, a renowned expert on Mars exploration, gave the thumbs up for a new Japanese mission to bring pieces […]

Titan: first global map uncovers secrets of a potentially habitable moon of Saturn

20 November 2019

David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at The Open University, writes for The Conversation about a potentially habitable moon of Saturn. There are just three moons in our solar system that measure more than 5,000km across. Of these, Jupiter’s moons Ganymede and Callisto are airless and have ancient heavily cratered surfaces. But Saturn’s largest moon, […]

OU News