Space

The dynamical nature of the hexagonal cloud pattern on Saturn’s north pole was unexplained by planetary science for ≈ 35 years since its first observation….
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A surprising radial distribution of potential vorticity (PV) of Martian atmosphere represents a minimum PV value at the winter pole, which is surrounded by an…
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Our knowledge of the Earth’s interior comes from the study of seismic waves during earthquakes, observations of different types of rocks, laboratory experiments, and magnetic…
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The Near-Earth (not hazardous to Earth) asteroid 433 Eros was explored by the NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft in 2000-2001. This mission, built and designed by the Johns…
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The Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Science (EPSS) at UCLA has an impressive record of leadership or participation in NASA missions. For example, the…
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The theory of quantum mechanics lies at the basis of our modern understanding of how microscopic particles such as electrons and atomic nuclei behave. Despite…
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Explaining why Mars is so much smaller and accreted far quicker than the Earth is a long-standing problem in planetary science.  Like Earth, Mars’ orbit…
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Most of the surface of Mars is currently too cold, and the atmosphere is too thin, for liquid water to be present on the surface….
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Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn’s system, is famous for being entirely covered by layers of thick orange haze, which are composed of organic aerosols….
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More than 3000 planets outside our Solar system have been discovered. Around 20 of them are “Goldilocks planets,” planets that orbit the region surrounding a…
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Numerical modeling of the nitrogen cycle on Pluto explains the distribution, color, geology, and morphology of the different nitrogen ice deposits observed. On July 14,…
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