Asteroid grains shed light on the outer solar system’s origins
A weak magnetic field likely pulled matter inward to form the outer planetary bodies, from Jupiter to Neptune.
Department
Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences
MIT affiliates receive 2024-25 awards and honors from the American Physical Society
Two faculty, a graduate student, and 10 additional alumni receive top awards and prizes; four faculty, one senior researcher, and seven alumni named APS Fellows.
Q&A: How the Europa Clipper will set cameras on a distant icy moon
MIT Research Scientist Jason Soderblom describes how the NASA mission will study the geology and composition of the surface of Jupiter’s water-rich moon and assess its astrobiological potential.
Study finds mercury pollution from human activities is declining
Models show that an unexpected reduction in human-driven emissions led to a 10 percent decline in atmospheric mercury concentrations.
Mars’ missing atmosphere could be hiding in plain sight
A new study shows Mars’ early thick atmosphere could be locked up in the planet’s clay surface.
Bridging the heavens and Earth
EAPS PhD student Jared Bryan found a way to use his research on earthquakes to help understand exoplanet migration.
3 Questions: Evidence for planetary formation through gravitational instability
Assistant Professor Richard Teague describes how movement of unstable gas in a protoplanetary disk lends credibility to a secondary theory of planetary formation.
Study: Rocks from Mars’ Jezero Crater, which likely predate life on Earth, contain signs of water
The presence of organic matter is inconclusive, but the rocks could be scientists’ best chance at finding remnants of ancient Martian life.
MIT School of Science launches Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy
New center taps Institute-wide expertise to improve understanding of, and responses to, sustainability challenges.
Scientists pin down the origins of the moon’s tenuous atmosphere
The barely-there lunar atmosphere is likely the product of meteorite impacts over billions of years, a new study finds.
Scientists find a human “fingerprint” in the upper troposphere’s increasing ozone
Knowing where to look for this signal will help researchers identify specific sources of the potent greenhouse gas.
A bright and airy hub for climate at MIT
Together, the new Moghadam Building and refurbished Green Building form a vibrant new center to tackle pressing global concerns of sustainability and climate change.
Roadmap details how to improve exoplanet exploration using the JWST
Scientists created the step-by-step guide to unlock the potential of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope for identifying habitable worlds in the universe.
Mission directors announced for the Climate Project at MIT
The effort to accelerate climate work at the Institute adds to its leadership team.
License plates of MIT
Custom plates display expressions of scholarship, creativity, and MIT pride among Institute affiliates.