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If Perseverance finds life on Mars, this is what it will look like
Dr. Michael L. Wong, a research associate in the astrobiology program and astronomy department, explains what life on Mars could be.
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Life on Venus? The Picture Gets Cloudier
Five months after findings pointing to life floating in the clouds of Venus, scientists are not quite sure what to make of the data and what it might mean. It might spur a renaissance in the study of Venus, which has largely been overlooked for decades. It could point to exotic volcanism and new geological puzzles. It could indeed be aliens. Or it could be nothing at all. Victoria Meadows, professor of astronomy, is quoted.
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Signs of life' on Venus might just be ordinary sulfur gas
The detection of phosphine on Venus, theorized to be from microbes, may have been caused instead by sulfur dioxide, which is not a clear sign of life. Victoria Meadows, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.
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Astronomy surveys aim to up the pace with army of tiny robots
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey and other sky surveys are adopting speedy robots. They will save valuable observation time and allow the surveys to keep up with Europe’s Gaia satellite, the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile and other efforts that produce huge catalogs of objects needing spectroscopic study. Eric Bellm, research assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.
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Life on Venus claim faces strongest challenge yet
New studies knock down a controversial report observing phosphine in Venus’ atmosphere. Victoria Meadows, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted. Andrew Lincowski, a doctoral student in astronomy and astrobiology, is mentioned.
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Intriguing 'Life' Signal on Venus Was Plain Old Sulphur Dioxide, New Research Suggests
Scientists stunned the world last year by claiming to have discovered traces of phosphine in the Venusian clouds. New research suggests this gas — which, excitingly, is produced by microbes — was not actually responsible for the signal they detected. Instead, it was likely sulfur dioxide, a not-so-thrilling chemical. Victoria Meadows, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted. Andrew Lincowski, a doctoral student in astronomy and astrobiology at the UW, is mentioned.
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Purported phosphine on Venus more likely to be ordinary sulfur dioxide, new study shows
A research team, including researchers from the UW, has released a study that casts doubt on phosphine on Venus as evidence of life.
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The 7 rocky planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1 may be made of similar stuff
Eric Agol and Victoria Meadows, professors of astronomy, have authored a new study on the TRAPPIST-1 star system.
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Astronomers document the rise and fall of a rarely observed stellar dance
Researchers at the UW examined 125 years of astronomical observations of a nearby stellar binary called HS Hydrae, and discovered changes to its eclipses.
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Behold! UW-authored books and music for the good Dawgs on your shopping list
Here's a quick look at some giftworthy books and music created by UW faculty and staff in 2020, and a reminder of some recent favorites.
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Behold! UW-authored books and music for the good Dawgs on your shopping list
With one of the biggest gift-giving seasons upon us, here’s a quick look at some gift-worthy books and music created by University of Washington faculty and staff, and a reminder of some recent favorites.
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The Hubble telescope has revealed a 'very dramatic and very weird' fading nebula in deep space
NASA reported last week that the Stingray Nebula, which is 18,000 light-years from Earth and located near the southern constellation Ara, has dimmed remarkably fast, fading over just 20 years. Bruce Balick, professor emeritus of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.
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NASA Spots 'Very Dramatic and Very Weird" Fading of Already Unusual Planetary Nebula
The Stingray Nebula, a shroud of gas around an aging star, was already unusual: It is by far the youngest such object in space. But scientists say that it is now getting dimmer as rapidly as it appeared. Its brightness has dropped by a factor of nearly 1,000 over 20 years, and the bright tendrils that once wrapped around its edges are gone. Bruce Balick, professor emeritus of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.
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Leaving so soon? Unusual planetary nebula fades mere decades after it arrived
Bruce Balick, an emeritus professor of astronomy, explains the results of his new study on planetary nebula.
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ArtSci Roundup: So Far So Good, Conversation with Jorge Ramos, and Emily Levesque in Conversation with KUOW’s Ross Reynolds
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online.