Under Saturnian moon's icy crust lies a 'global' ocean

The Cassini-Huygens mission could lead to more discoveries in the search for Earth 2.0.

A Guide to Detecting an Alien Apocalypse

This story in National Geographic tells of researchers at Cornell and other universities who recently published a guide to help astronomers detect alien apocalypses — whether it’s the chemical signature of a world filled with rotting corpses, the radioactive aftermath of nuclear warfare, or the debris left over from a Death Star scenario where an entire planet gets blown to bits.

"Research instilled in me a passion for science and exploration."

Roger Michaelides '15 

Majors: Physics & Science of Earth Systems 
Hometown: Libertyville, IL

Why did you choose Cornell?
I choose Cornell because of its exceptional physics and geology programs, diverse student body and academic programs, and its world class planetary science research groups.  After growing up in the midwest, Ithaca'a local geology and natural preserves were also very appealing!

Physics grad student describes women behind the Large Hadron Collider

Margaret Zientek, one of nine PhD students from Cornell working at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, is featured in this story about women making their way in this male-dominated environment.

“I am working on a search for dark matter particles,” she says

Finding infant Earths and potential life just got easier

Among the billions and billions of stars in the sky, where should astronomers look for infant Earths where life might develop? New research from Cornell University’s Institute for Pale Blue Dots shows where – and when – infant Earths are most likely to be found. The paper by Blue Dots research associate Ramses M. Ramirez and director Lisa Kaltenegger, “The Habitable Zones of Pre-Main Sequence Stars,” is forthcoming in Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Colorful life-form catalog helps discern if we’re alone

While looking for life on planets beyond our own solar system, a group of international scientists has created a colorful catalog containing reflection signatures of Earth life forms that might be found on planet surfaces throughout the cosmic hinterlands. The new database and research, published in the March 16 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), gives humans a better chance to learn if we are not alone.

Astronomers create array of Earth-like planet models

To sort out the biological intricacies of Earth-like planets, astronomers have developed computer models that examine how ultraviolet radiation from other planets’ nearby suns may affect those worlds, according to new research published June 10 in Astrophysical Journal.

Alison Farrish: 'Cornell is all about finding the right balance of academics, extra-curriculars, and relaxation'

Alison Farrish

Astronomy

Tolland, CT

What is your main Cornell extracurricular activity -- why is it important to you?