Earth and atmospheric sciences

Scientists discover water ice on MercuryIce and organic material may have been carried to the planet by passing comets.

Maria Zuber appointed vice president for researchClaude Canizares will take a new role as a vice president with responsibility for international partnerships.

Ocean currents play a role in predicting extent of Arctic sea iceDiscovery of feedback between sea ice and ocean improves Arctic ice extent forecast.

Clearing the airAtmospheric chemist Susan Solomon finds hope in past environmental challenges.

Scientists find first evidence of dynamo generation on an asteroidA meteorite found in Antarctica holds evidence of a once-active dynamo on Vesta.

The mathematics of leaf decayA mathematical model reveals commonality within the diversity of leaf decay.

What the past teaches: meeting today’s global environmental challengesAtmospheric science pioneer Susan Solomon speaks on past environmental accomplishments, technology’s role and how history should be our guide to meeting today’s global challenges.

When it rains, it poursStudy estimates rate of intensification of extreme tropical rainfall with global warming.

Sarah Stewart Johnson, EAPS PhD, gives rein to curiosityAlumna envisions combining academia with public policy

Newfound gene may help bacteria survive in extreme environmentsResulting microbial lipids may also signify oxygen dips in Earth’s history.

River networks on Titan point to a puzzling geologic historyFindings suggest the surface of Saturn’s largest moon may have undergone a recent transformation.

Explained: Near-miss asteroidsWhat to do in the event of an asteroid streaking toward Earth? Activate the asteroid ‘fire drill.’

Researchers calculate size of particles in Martian clouds of CO2 snowMars’ carbon dioxide ‘snowflakes’ are about the size of red blood cells.

First light from a super-Earth spottedDetection reveals a searing planet.

William F. Brace, professor emeritus in EAPS, dies at 86Geologist helped develop systematic descriptions of key physical properties of rocks.

Facing the facts about our changing climateMIT researchers join Boston Globe panel in weighing climate risks and resolutions.

Sara Seager named co-winner of the 2012 Sackler Prize

Oceans apartNew research suggests that ocean-crust formation is a dynamic process.

Water world'Weather in a tank' demonstration helps students grasp fluid dynamics.

A climate window in the Southern OceanAn updated circulation model reveals the Southern Ocean as a powerful influence on climate change.

‘Storm of the Century?’ Try ‘Storm of the Decade’With climate change, today’s ‘100-year floods’ may happen every three to 20 years, according to new research.

The hills are evolvingNew model predicts speed of spreading valleys.

What drove the lunar dynamo?Research supports theory that the moon’s molten core was likely sustained by an alternative power source.

At the core of a continentNew data finds regions of North America have remained extremely stable for more than one billion years.

Microbe metabolismFor the smallest organisms, size determines how microbes spend energy.

Robert van der Hilst named head of the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary SciencesSucceeds Maria Zuber, who led department for the last eight years.

Marilyn Wolfson named 2012 fellow of the American Meteorological SocietyRecognized for longtime contributions to atmospheric, oceanic sciences.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory researchers receive NASA awardHonored for their role in the Near Earth Object Observation Program