Alain Picard Under the frozen surface of the moons Europa and Enceladus, orbiting respectively around Jupiter and Saturn, lie underground oceans of fascinating scale and complexity. These vast bodies of liquid water are enveloped by a thick crust of ice, making direct exploration difficult but not impossible. Space missions and modern astrophysics are gradually revealing valuable clues … Read more
The presence of liquid water in the outer solar system generates considerable scientific interest, particularly due to its potential link to life beyond Earth. While most visible liquid water is confined to our planet, recent discoveries suggest that this vital element also exists in other forms, primarily as ice, on several moons and distant celestial … Read more
extremophiles represent a fascinating window into the resilience and diversity of life. These extreme microorganisms challenge traditional knowledge by thriving in extreme environments where most forms of classical life could not survive. Whether it is extreme temperatures, intense acidity, or exposure to high radiation, these organisms demonstrate that life adapts and persists in environments once … Read more
The search for life beyond Earth is one of the most captivating and complex scientific quests of our time. At the heart of this exploration lies the study of exoplanet atmospheres, those worlds located around distant stars, light-years away from our solar system. The atmospheres potentially harbor biosignatures, chemical or physical signs indicative of life, … Read more
Exploring beyond planets in search of conditions suitable for life has led the scientific community to turn towards often overlooked celestial bodies: moons. Moons, these natural satellites orbiting giant planets, offer a fascinating field of investigation that could revolutionize our understanding of extraterrestrial habitability. With over two hundred moons identified in our solar system alone, … Read more
IN BRIEF Introduction to constellations and their importance in astronomy. Identification of easy constellations: Big Dipper, Orion, Cassiopeia. Using a sky chart for observation. Practical tips for starting astronomical observation. Applications and tools available to recognize stars. Steps to familiarize yourself with the night sky. Resources to deepen your knowledge and observation techniques. Discovering the … Read more
IN BRIEF Space telescopes: key instruments for exploring the universe. Hubble Telescope: a pioneer in observing galaxies and stars. James Webb Telescope: enables the study of exoplanets and their atmosphere. Infrared observation to detect distant and faint objects. Contribution to the understanding of cosmic ecosystems. Positioning at the Lagrange L2 point for optimal observations. Exploration … Read more
IN BRIEF Cosmic rays: high-energy subatomic particles coming from space. Messengers of violent events in the universe. Composed mainly of protons and atomic nuclei. Create large showers of secondary particles upon their manifestation. Constantly bombard the Earth and impact our atmosphere. Represent one of the greatest dangers for astronauts in space exploration. Play a crucial … Read more
IN SHORT Variable stars: celestial bodies that show variations in brightness. Two main types: Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars. Periodic volume variations affecting brightness and spectrum. Essential for estimating astronomical distances. Constantly increasing cataloging, with a variety of characteristics. Used to determine stellar dynamics. Long-period variable stars: red supergiants with marked brightness variations. Interest in … Read more
IN BRIEF Planetary geophysics: study of the physical characteristics of other planets. Use of geophysical methods to explore internal and external structure. Application of principles from physics and astronomy. Analysis of natural phenomena on other celestial bodies. Development of tools like Dynamico to model atmospheric circulation. Assessment of climatic conditions on other planets. Importance of … Read more