In the February issue of Zenit, the national magazine for astronomy, meteorology and space research in The Netherlands, you can read all about planetary habitability, the exciting science taking place within the expertise network and the NPP.
The postdocs of the Expertise Network and their colleagues have jointly written various popular science articles in this issue about their research within the Knowledge Network. What topics are covered? To find conditions conducive to life on a planet like Mars, knowledge of geological surface processes and surface conditions is necessary. This is being investigated through dynamics of surface processes using experiments during parabolic flights. Life on Earth may have originated or thrived in geothermal systems. To study and identify similar systems on Mars, they are being studied up close in Iceland. And Jupiter’s moon Ganymede likely harbors an ocean beneath its icy crust that may offer habitable conditions. This will be investigated starting in 2031 with the European space probe JUICE, which will study the moon closely.
This month’s magazine has plenty of reading material on the most intriguing questions in planetary science. Order your own copy here, or sign up for a yearly subscription.