17.03.10: A Hadean Simulation.

 
    One of the key mysteries in science is how life began on Earth. In the 1950’s, the landmark Urey-Miller experiments gave tantalizing evidence of how organic compounds may have formed on ancient Earth. Recently, scientists at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart have shed more light on the subject.  Using an artificial solution of primordial [...]

28.01.10: A Key Organic Compound Found in Space.

 
Stardusters rejoice; one of the largest citizen scientist projects has borne fruit. In 2004, NASA’s Stardust spacecraft passed through the outer envelope of comet Wild 2, allowing its sticky aerogel detectors to capture samples of gas and dust. Ever since the detectors parachuted safely to Earth on January 15, 2006, scientists, bloggers, and school kids [...]