Author Archive
Mystery of the Martian core solved
Mars’ liquid iron core is smaller and denser than previously thought. Not only is it smaller, but it is also surrounded by a layer of molten rock. This is what ETH Zurich researchers, including NCCR PlanetS project leader Paolo Sossi, conclude on the basis of seismic data from the InSight lander. For four years, NASA’s InSight […]
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Looking out of the bubble
An ambitious space mission could open the way to a better understanding of our heliosphere and of cosmic dust. NCCR PlanetS project leader Dr Veerle Sterken and her team recently published a paper in support of such an ambitious mission which was detailing potential science outcomes for the dust and heliospheric sciences, as well as […]
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Robot Team to Explore the Moon
Swiss researchers are equipping legged robots with scientific instruments to search for minerals and resources on the Moon. One major strength of these robots is their ability to work as a team: even if one robot fails, the mission continues. On the Moon, there are raw materials that humanity could one day mine and use. […]
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Elusive planets play “hide and seek” with CHEOPS
With the help of the CHEOPS space telescope an international team of European astronomers managed to clearly identify the existence of four new exoplanets. The four mini-Neptunes are smaller and cooler, and more difficult to find than the so-called Hot Jupiter exoplanets which have been found in abundance. Two of the four resulting papers are […]
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Weather report: hot scorching storms of sand on exoplanet VHS 1256 b.
Ever had sand hot whip across your face? That’s a soothing experience compared to the volatile conditions discovered high in the atmosphere of planet VHS 1256 b. Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope proved that its clouds are made up of silicate particles, ranging from fine specks to small grains. Plus, its near-constant cloud cover is […]
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CHEOPS mission extended
After more than three years in orbit, the mission of the CHEOPS space telescope has just been extended. Led by the University of Bern in collaboration with the University of Geneva, CHEOPS is a joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Switzerland. On March 7th, ESA’s Science Programme Committee has confirmed its continued […]
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Four classes of planetary systems
Astronomers have long been aware that planetary systems are not necessarily structured like our solar system. Researchers from the Universities of Bern and Geneva, as well as from the National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS, have now shown for the first time that there are in fact four types of planetary systems. In our […]
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“We need to normalise failure in academia”
The Academic Platform of the NCCR PlanetS organised a series of three workshops over the last two months, with a common theme to them: aiming for a healthier academic life. Today we look back at some of the key messages of each workshop. Well-being in academia The first workshop was held on the 8th of […]
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Changes in the communication team
Your communication team has evolved! There has been several changes in the last few months and with Phase III of the NCCR PlanetS. We welcome two new members with Sophie Krummenacher and Thibaut Roger. They are replacing respectively Sylviane Blum (retirement) and Arian Bastani who left the NCCR and joined the communication team of Bern’s […]
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Planetarium training at the General Assembly
In 2022, the NCCR PlanetS acquired two 5m-diameter inflatable planetariums, staying at the universities of Bern and Geneva. Transportable by car and able to welcome 15-20 persons per session, PlanetS members and associates can borrow them, upon request to the communication team, for school visits or other events. We are now looking for volunteers to help […]
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